1. Social Studies The study of people.

2. Social Studies is probably the least well understood Early Childhood curriculum area. When people think of “social studies,” they think of history and geography. But long ago and far away aren’t relevant and meaningful to young children. For them, social studies should be about here and now.

3. Social studies is focused on less and less in elementary schools. The consequences of this have been said to include: Lack of a sense of historyLack of a sense of history Geographical illiteracyGeographical illiteracy Absence of inter-cultural understandingAbsence of inter-cultural understanding Abandonment of valuesAbandonment of values

4. In Early Childhood it’s even worse. Inappropriate teaching of history and geography.Inappropriate teaching of history and geography. Otherwise virtually ignored consciouslyOtherwise virtually ignored consciously Unconsciously most social studies conceptsUnconsciously most social studies concepts are taught through holidays.

5. The problems with holidays: Holidays pass down the society’s values and myths.Holidays pass down the society’s values and myths. Can’t help but convey the prejudices, divisions, violence and materialism of the society. Also often tell half-truths:Also often tell half-truths: Partly because over time or by intention the truths have been distorted Partly because at a young age basic trust must be protected It’s thought that since we can’t tell them the bad stuff we should just tell them the good (whitewashing, lying) Teachers aren’t trained to teach holidaysTeachers aren’t trained to teach holidays Also, we can’t control when holidays fall or what to celebrateAlso, we can’t control when holidays fall or what to celebrate So the curriculum becomes disjointed and out of our control

6. What Is Early Childhood Social Studies? It’s the study of people: Their rolesTheir roles Their relationshipsTheir relationships Their feelingsTheir feelings Their identitiesTheir identities Their homesTheir homes Their communitiesTheir communities Their valuesTheir values Their humanityTheir humanity

7. What is the progression of Early Childhood Social Studies? ME FAMILY SCHOOL COMMUNITYPEOPLE

8. More specifically? –Feelings Understanding, expressing, releasing, controllingUnderstanding, expressing, releasing, controlling –Personality development Self-esteem, self-awareness, self-motivation, self-controlSelf-esteem, self-awareness, self-motivation, self-control –Social skills Sharing, cooperation, communication, negotiationSharing, cooperation, communication, negotiation –Social values Respect, caring, responsibility, freedom, individuality, diversityRespect, caring, responsibility, freedom, individuality, diversity –Social themes Me, family, community (places, people, occupations, transportation), cultures, peopleMe, family, community (places, people, occupations, transportation), cultures, people –Social issues Violence, prejudice, drugs, child abuse, ecologyViolence, prejudice, drugs, child abuse, ecology –Emotional issues Death, separation/divorce, abuse, illness/hospitalization, moving, separation anxiety, sibling rivalryDeath, separation/divorce, abuse, illness/hospitalization, moving, separation anxiety, sibling rivalry

9. Social studies should be naturally integrated into everything we do Different early childhood approaches center on different curriculum areas: High/Scope – math and science Reggio Emilia – art Bank Street – social studies

10. Bank Street Approach Forerunner of Developmentally Appropriate PracticeForerunner of Developmentally Appropriate Practice Movement began in early 1900’sMovement began in early 1900’s The Approach developed in the 1930’sThe Approach developed in the 1930’s –The Developmental-Interactive Approach First American Early Childhood methodologyFirst American Early Childhood methodology Leaders in the field for much of the 20 th centuryLeaders in the field for much of the 20 th century Dramatic play, block area, classroom meetings, job chart, outdoor climbers, field trips, integrated curriculum, social themes, incorporation of child psychology all outgrowthsDramatic play, block area, classroom meetings, job chart, outdoor climbers, field trips, integrated curriculum, social themes, incorporation of child psychology all outgrowths Centerpiece is social studiesCenterpiece is social studies It’s the approach that you’ve been learningIt’s the approach that you’ve been learning

11. Appropriate Social Studies Activities Me and feelings booksMe and feelings books Me dollsMe dolls Body tracingBody tracing Share and tellShare and tell Blind walkBlind walk Fruit saladFruit salad Warm fuzzies/cold prickliesWarm fuzzies/cold pricklies Rules and feelings chartsRules and feelings charts Cooperative rather than competitive gamesCooperative rather than competitive games Mirror and pairing activitiesMirror and pairing activities “Group Therapy”“Group Therapy” Robot/rag doll; robot/wild thingRobot/rag doll; robot/wild thing Zoom/EekZoom/Eek Problem puppetsProblem puppets Puppets to introduce historyPuppets to introduce history Family trees, albums, graphs, sharings (starting with definition of)Family trees, albums, graphs, sharings (starting with definition of) Classroom community meetingsClassroom community meetings Community trips and use of dramatic play, beginning mappingCommunity trips and use of dramatic play, beginning mapping Alternative holiday celebrations (bridging holidays, own holidays, refocused holidays – Thanksgiving example)Alternative holiday celebrations (bridging holidays, own holidays, refocused holidays – Thanksgiving example) Win/win solutionsWin/win solutions Multicultural curriculumMulticultural curriculum

12. Books for Social Studies Curriculum Enhancement ExplorationsExplorations The Anti-Bias CurriculumThe Anti-Bias Curriculum Roots and WingsRoots and Wings Keeping the PeaceKeeping the Peace Discover the WorldDiscover the World Discovering FeelingsDiscovering Feelings T.A. for TotsT.A. for Tots Including All of UsIncluding All of Us