Pathway to Pre-K: A Special Education Preschool Curriculum That Actually Works

After ten years as a special education preschool teacher, I realized something important: there was no curriculum that truly worked for my students with diverse needs. I constantly found myself piecing together materials from various programs just to create something that felt appropriate for my class. So, I decided to build something better.

Introducing Pathway to Pre-K—a one-of-a-kind curriculum designed specifically for preschool special education classrooms that aligns with Early Headstart Standards and Creative Curriculum. Whether you teach in a self-contained ECSE (Early Childhood Special Education) setting or work with students who need individualized support, this curriculum is built for YOU.

What is Pathway to Pre-K?

Pathway to Pre-K is a comprehensive, themed curriculum that makes lesson planning easier while keeping your students engaged, supported, and learning at their level. Each month features two thematic units centered around classic children’s books—ideal for building familiarity and expanding language.

Each unit runs for two weeks, giving you time to repeat, reinforce, and differentiate. The themes are intentionally broad, so you can easily substitute your favorite books without disrupting the flow of instruction.

🔎 Looking for book titles? Check out the martrix below. I made sure to use classic tales you already have in your classroom. Don’t worry if you do not own a copy. Adapted book versions are included in every unit.

Stay Tuned! Pathway to Pre-K is still expanding! We have exciting plans ahead. After these 12 month year long bundle is complelte we will be working on expansion and holiday bundles!

What’s Included in Each Unit?

Pathway to Pre-K includes everything you need to run a fun, structured, and developmentally appropriate classroom. Every resource is created with accessibility and differentiation in mind.

🖥️ Digital Slides (PowerPoint + Google Slides Compatible)

Math
Literacy
Speech
Fine Motor

📖 Adapted Books

Story Book
Colors
Counting
And sometimes some fun extras!

📚 Read-Aloud Resources

Small book icons
Felt board visuals
Alternative book suggestions
AAC fringe vocabulary supports

🔢 Resource Vault

Math
- Couting
- Sorting
- Colors
- Shapes
- Measurment
- Patterns
Literacy
- Sequncing
- Vocabulary
- Story comprehension
- Alphabet knowledge
Matching
- Frames of 2-8
- Puzzles
Speech
- Button overlays
- AAC fringe
- Speech Scene
Fine Motor
- Tracing
- Cutting
Errorless
- Above items but in errorless format

👨‍🍳 Visual Recipes

Two visual recipes per unit
Cooking AAC fringe

🎨 Daily Crafts

8 thematic crafts per unit
AAC fringe corresponding to craft supplies
Supply list
How to make

✏️ Printables and Worksheets

Cut and paste
Speech smash mat
Dough mat
Coloring pages
Worksheets

Easy Planning with Built-In Support

Planning is a breeze with Pathway to Pre-K. Each unit includes:

A detailed weekly lesson plan template
An implementation guide with suggestions for differentiation
Alignment with Early Head Start and most Early Childhood State Standards
- 📄 Need alignment documentation? Check out our Early Head Start Standards Alignment Guide here.

The beauty of Pathway to Pre‑K is its flexibility—there’s no single “right” way to implement the resources. Below is one possible way to weave them into a full-day classroom routine.

Resource vault, worksheets, and printables: morning bins, rotation stations, and our thematic center.
Daily crafts also take place during the rotation station at the para-craft station.
Read aloud and Digital Slides during whole-group instruction. I read the story every day (except for Friday when we cook with the visual recipes). Each time I switch it up with different props, visuals, and books.
- For example
  - Monday: Felt board pieces
  - Tuesday: Adapted book
  - Wednesday: Read aloud with video
  - Thursday: Use physical props
  - Friday: Mini book pieces

Need more details of what a day in the classroom looks like? Check out my schedule breakdown HERE.

➕ Perfect for Supplementing the Creative Curriculum

Already using The Creative Curriculum? Pathway to Pre-K can be seamlessly integrated as a supplemental resource to provide more hands-on, visual, and adapted materials specifically designed for special education preschool learners. Whether you’re looking for additional book-based units, visual supports, or accessible crafts and activities, Pathway to Pre-K fills the gaps by offering ready-to-use resources that reinforce core concepts in a way that’s developmentally appropriate for students with IEPs and diverse learning needs. Check out the alignment guide below.

Why It Works in ECSE Classrooms

Pathway to Pre-K was designed by a special education preschool teacher. It supports:

Visual learners
AAC Users
Multisensory learners
Students working on pre-academic skills (errorless)

Whether you’re teaching in a public school, private setting, or therapeutic classroom, Pathway to Pre-K helps you deliver meaningful instruction with confidence.

Ready to Transform Your Classroom?

If you’re tired of searching for a curriculum that fits your students’ needs, Pathway to Pre-K is here for you. Say goodbye to hours of piecing together random resources and hello to a full year of engaging, differentiated, and developmentally appropriate content.

Start your journey with Pathway to Pre-K today—and create a classroom where every student can learn, thrive, and grow.