Mano a Mano 3 Phase II Internet Course Week 6 – Topic IV The Early Childhood Curriculum Drs. Ellen Marshall and Cathy McAuliffe

Objectives for this topic: Explore your understanding of the components of a sound early childhood curriculum Investigate your ability to articulate the relationship of your educational philosophy, early learning standards, and teaching techniques to your early childhood curriculum Explore your understanding of one early childhood curriculum model

Topic IV: Curriculum This topic will last two weeks March 1 – 14, 2010

Introduction Before going on with this presentation, please ask yourself (and answer yourself!)… How would you define curriculum?

Curriculum Curriculum can be defined as an organized framework that delineates the content children are to learn, the processes through which children achieve the identified curricular goals, what teachers do to help children achieve these goals, and the context in which teaching and learning occur (Bredekamp & Rosegrant, 1992)

Curriculum Your curriculum is a reflection of your philosophy (the basic principles, attitudes, and beliefs) of early childhood education (this needs to be based on sound research-based information) goals (early learning standards) for the children teaching techniques used to achieve those goals

A comprehensive curriculum includes… Social-emotional development Language and literacy Mathematics Technology Scientific inquiry Understanding ourselves and our communities Creative expression and arts appreciation Physical skills and development

What about you? Is your curriculum comprehensive? The completion of the ECERS-R should help you in answering this question Even though the ECERS-R not a curriculum, it assists in evaluating the context in which teaching and learning occur It is a significant step in ensuring an appropriate early childhood context for your curriculum

Curriculum Development is… An ongoing process Based on sound theories of child development Based on knowledge of how children grow and develop at different ages and stages (developmentally appropriate practices) Based on the cultural needs and interests of your students Based on careful observation of individual children

Position Statements Follow these links and read some information about early childhood curriculum: North Central Regional Educational Laboratory: nstrctn/in5lk5.htm nstrctn/in5lk5.htm NAEYC: cape.pdf cape.pdf

Research in a nutshell Follow these links and read some research related to curriculum: From the Clearinghouse of Early Education and Parenting: /dunn97.html /dunn97.html From the Association of Early Childhood International:

Curriculum Models… Can provide guidelines for planning and organizing experiences and activities No one curriculum model addresses all of the developmental and cultural needs of children Examples of curriculum models: Montessori, Bank Street, High/Scope, Reggio Emilia, Primary Years Programme, the Project Approach

STOP! Research the Internet for more information on one of the curriculum models listed in the previous slide Select one that especially interests you Write a reflection about something thats new to you

What do these curricula have in common? The philosophy, goals and teaching techniques that form the pillars of these curricula are based on developmental and constructivist theories of learning

Lets go back to Slide #6… Remember that your curriculum reflects Your philosophy (the basic principles, attitudes, and beliefs) of early childhood education (this needs to be based on sound research-based information) Your goals (valid standards) for the children Teaching techniques you use to achieve those goals (again based on research-based practices)

(1) Your Philosophy Have you written your philosophy of early education? Many teachers post this on the door to their classroom (along with their photo) or give it to their students parents Check out these explanations of philosophies: teachers.com/news/philosophy-of-education.htm teachers.com/news/philosophy-of-education.htm ngyour/philosphy.htm ngyour/philosphy.htm

(1) Your Philosophy Write a working draft of your philosophy of early learning If you already have one written, revisit it and revise it if necessary

(2) Your Goals (Standards) for Early Learning The second item that your curriculum must reflect is your selection of the early learning standards…remember the standards we asked you to identify earlier? Curriculum must be planned with standards in mind We will come back to this next week!

(3) Teaching Techniques Your teaching techniques should be based on your educational philosophy We will come back to this next week, as well!