Early Child Hood Curriculum

The Class room as a Discourse CommunityAmy Towle

Why Is It Important?

• To provide stimulating activities for appropriate development of young children

• To develop good socializing, reading and math skills before entering kindergarten

Guidelines to Follow

The following seven features were identified as common characteristics of effective curricula: • Comprehensive domains of learning • Specific learning goals • Well-designed learning activities • Responsive teaching • Culturally and linguistically responsive • Individualizing instruction • On going assessment

Facts

High Scope• Designed for High Risk Children• Open Ended• Active Learning• 58 Key Developmental Mile stones• Each child has an individualise plan

time every day called « Plan, Do, Review »

• Encourages parent involvement

Reggio Emilio Reggio Emilio is a project based

curriculum. It is an extension of the whole

languageapproach. In addition to spoken and written

language, they use an entire of array of creative mediathat is considered “other languages.”

Interactions that take place from teacher to child, child to child, teacher to parent andparent to teacher.

Projects and themes follow the child’s interest.

Projects build, not a one shot deal. Parent Involvement

High Scope Classroom5:45-8:30 Choice Time/Wash Hands/Breakfast8:30-9:30 4th Floor Large Motor Room Play9:30-9:45 Greeting Time9:45-10:15 Small Group/Planning Time10:15-11:30 Work Time (Do)11:30-11:40 Tidy Up11:40-11:55 Review/Large Group11:55-12:00 Restroom/Wash Hands/Prayer12:00-12:30 Lunch/Brush Teeth/Books12:30-2:30 Rest Time2:30-2:40 Restroom/Wash Hands2:40-3:00 Snack3:00-4:00 Free Choice4:00-4:30 4th Floor Large Motor Room Play4:30-4:35 Plan4:35-5:30 Work Time (Do)/Tidy Up

Creative Curriculum Created by NAEYC after reviewing literature on child development. Gives children opportunities to practice new and acquired skills. Takes place in the community where children are valued and safe. Meets the needs of the whole child. Gives that important balance between applying a general knowledge of child

development and the knowledge of a teacher. Builds the relationship with the child and the family. Follows theories from Child Development Specialist: Maslow, Erikson, Piaget,

Vygotsky, Gardner, and Smilansky Built off the child’s interest.

Creative Curriculum Classroom

ScienceIce

Melting

Building

*Used with permission

Similarities

All Curriculum is based off the child’s interestAll Curriculum seeks for good family

relationshipsAll Curriculum can be adapted to special

needs childrenNo WorksheetsChildren learn through their play and can build

on current knowledge

How Should A Center Choose

Every center, community, and child has different needs. A director needs to look at all of those needs. All three curriculums are good and important but only each individual center can decide which one will meet their families needs. If you do not have that relationship built with the family and know what they need, then no matter what you choose, it will not work.

What Do Parents Want?

Teaches Values Learning centers

instead of just “play time”

Cheery and Colorful Good Outdoors Area

*These were what parents told me they look for in a good center

Good Daily Communication between Center and Parents

Communication about challenges, communicable diseases, and advances with their child

Resources• Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs by Sue

Bredekamp and Carol Copple• Teaching Numeracy, Language, and Literacy with Blocks by Abigail

Newburger and Elizabeth Vaughan• Creative Curriculum For Preschool by Diane Dodge, Laura J Colkar, and

Cate Heroman• Bringing Learning to Life: A Reggio Approach to Early Childhood by L.B.

Caldwell