The Elements of Early Childhood Curriculum

Types of Early Childhood Program Philosophies

Play Based Philosophy – Playing to Learn/Learning to Play

High quality early childhood programs teach children to think creatively

so they may succeed in a complex and ever-changing world. Purposeful
play is developmentally appropriate and a significant element of any early
childhood program. The following emphasizes the importance of play in a
child’s intellectual, social, emotional and physical development.
Play is a way of learning for children. During a typical preschool day there
will be a structured and unstructured periods, enabling children to learn
through at their own rate. Values that support learning through play
includes:

• Children are viewed as thinkers, reflecting about their world

• Purposeful play is when children learn through the process of their
efforts
• Children gain knowledge by building on a path of ever increasing
knowledge
• Children are encouraged to make choices and practice individual
decision-making
Learning environments supports purposeful play by:

• Blocks of various sizes and materials

• Materials and time for dramatic, imaginative play
• Manipulative and table toys
• Art materials and tools to explore
• Sensory play materials including salt and water
• A library area
• Music and movement activities
• Cooking experiences
• Computer exploration
• Outdoor and gross motor play
• A quiet area for the child who needs to be alone
• Ample and rich language in print
• Writing tools and materials
Montessori

Montessori is both a philosophy and a method of educating children

created by Maria Montessori, the first female physician in Italy. It is based
on the belief that children have a natural desire to learn and that, when
they are placed in the enriched environment with specially designed
materials and highly trained teachers, they learn quickly and easily
through hands on experience. Maria Montessori began work in the slums
of Rome and through careful observation of the children in her care she
discovered how to help children learn about self-care, math, language,
cultural studies and size, shape, colors, etc. Montessori travelled
throughout the world introducing her systems to educators and parents
everywhere. She was nominated for the Nobel Prize three times.
Waldorf

Chicago Waldorf School is an urban independent school offering early

childhood through twelfth grade education rooted in the ideals, insights,
and pedagogical method of Rudolf Steiner, philosopher, social innovator
and artist. The school provides a diverse student body with an education
that support a free thinking, self-directed young adults, ready to embark
the next phase of their education, and eager to contribute positively to our
world and the global society of the 21st century. Many parents visiting a
Chicago Waldorf School Early Childhood class feel an instant intuitive
connection with it – often saying “ I wish I had gone to a school like this”
The room is warm, colorful, cared-for and filled with nature’s beauty and
variety – a place where children can let their imaginations roam while
feeling reassured and protected.

Play is the heart of the Waldorf Early Childhood program. Children

develop the capacity for creative thinking, problem- solving abilities and
social skills through their free imaginative play. Simple natural materials –
pieces of wood, seashells, beeswax and handcrafted toys – encourages
children to form their own games and stories.
Reggio Emilia Approach

The Reggio Emilia Approach to education was started by the schools of

Reggio Emilia, a city in Italy, after World War II and has become
renowned as one of the best school system in the world. This approach
places emphasis on the arts as children’s symbolic language and an
engaging learning environment. The concept of equal collaboration is very
important to the success of Reggio Emilia Schools. In these schools,
parents, teachers, and children, along with the community are seen as co-
constructors of knowledge. In Reggio Schools, parents are considered
equal partners with teachers in their children’s education. They are
respected and valued, and are expected to be involved with both school
and the classroom. Parents take part in discussions about school policy,
child development concerns, and curriculum planning and evaluation.
Because a majority of parent are employed, meetings are held in the
evening so that all parents can be there.
Cognitive Based Philosophy
In a program which is cognitive based, young children learn through
active exploration in an environment which is rich in materials and
opportunities to converse, socialize, work, play and negotiate with others.
The classroom are planned to encourage curiosity, exploration and
problem solving in an atmosphere of warmth, affection and respect for
each child. Teachers plan experiences based on children’s interests and
appropriate educational concepts.
Children may work individually or collaboratively, and may choose
whether or not to participate in the project. Children are actively involved
in experiences which include foundations of math, science, socials studies,
creative art, language arts, music, movement and dramatic play. All
interrelated aspects of the child’s growth and development are considered
– intellectual, social, emotional, physical and creative. Activities,
experiences and teacher-child interactions are constantly being measured
and evaluated in terms of the following program goals:
1. Development of a positive self-concept.
2. Respect for individuality and rights of others
3. Positive ways of interacting with peers and adults
4. Acceptance and expression of both positive and negative feelings
5. Growth of independence and self-sufficiency
6. Growth of creative thinking and problem solving
7. Cognitive growth and development
8. Emergent literacy development
9. Small and large muscle development
The Goals of Early Childhood Education
1. Intellectual Development
Preschool programs give your child a head start. By the time they are
ready for kindergarten they can already have a good grasp of basics like
math, art, handwriting, the alphabet, reading, and more.
2. Physical Development
This covers physical skills like balance, coordination, body awareness,
and motor planning. This also includes fine motor skills and overall
muscle control.
3. Emotional Development
This helps your child get a solid emotional base that will serve them
well for the rest of their life.
4. Social Development
This concentrate on goals like getting along well with others students,
getting along with adults, learning how to respect others, and thriving in an
educational setting.
Objectives of Early Childhood Education

1. Foster Socializing Skills

Early childhood education aims to develop friendships among children belonging
to the same age group.
2. Develops an Enthusiasm for Learning
As kids learn their initial lessons through different play and structured activities, it
lays the foundation of learning and also develops their imagination power.
3. Promotes Holistic Development
It lays the foundation for a kid’s physical, social, emotional and mental
development which are crucial factors for later stages in life.
4. Teaches the Kids to Respect
The kids often try to emulate the behavior they observe. When they observe
positive and respectful relationships between their parents or different teachers and
the caretakers at school, they will simply try to follow the same.
5. Develops Sharing and Teamwork Attitude
Early education ensures that the child learns to co-operate and share his/her
belongings with others.
Curriculum Content
1. Myself
- concepts and ideas that help the learners understand himself/herself so that he/she will
develop as an individual.
2. My Family
- concepts, ideas, practices that guide the child to be responsible and proud of himself
and his family.
3. My School
- concepts, ideas, practices, and situations that help the child understand how to be an
individual and socialize with other learners, teachers, and other school personnel.
4. My Community
- concepts, ideas, practices, situations, and responsibilities that the learner should
acquire and understand so that he/she will become a functional and responsive member of
the community.
5. More Things Around Me
- all other concepts, ideas, practices, situations, and responsibilities which may be
relevant to the community, culture, and interest of the learner.
Evaluating and Assessing with Checklists

• Curriculum objectives are used to plan instruction and to

evaluate children’s performance on the same objectives
• After the planned activities, children are assessed to
determine how they will learned
• Evaluation is achieved through observation during the
activities, and through specific assessment tasks.