In this video, I’m sharing my honest perspective on why packaged (boxed) preschool curriculums don’t work well in a real Pre-K classroom—even when they’re “research-based” and written by people with impressive credentials. I’ve tried following programs that want you to stick with the same theme for three weeks (or more), read the same stories over and over, and repeat the same activities on a tight schedule. In theory it sounds organized. In practice, it can lead to bored kids, bored teachers, and way more behavior issues than you need. What I’ve learned is that classroom management problems often show up when kids are disengaged. When the curriculum is too repetitive or too strict, it doesn’t leave room for me to respond to the actual group of 15+ little humans in front of me. I do better when I can swap in fresh books, adjust activities, and change themes to match my students’ needs and interests. And honestly, packaged curriculums did give me something valuable: they pushed me to become more creative and resourceful. At the end of the day, I believe the best curriculum comes from teachers who are actually in the classroom—not a binder sitting on a shelf.