Early childhood curriculum development

  Individual Development Plan (IDP): An Individual Development Plan is a personalized roadmap that outlines the goals, strengths, and areas of growth for an individual. It is a collaborative process between the individual and a mentor or advisor. An IDP helps individuals identify their professional or personal objectives and create a plan to achieve them. Example: An employee working in a corporate setting creates an IDP with their manager. The IDP includes goals such as improving leadership skills, attending relevant training programs, and taking on new responsibilities within the company. Indirect methods (spontaneous): Indirect methods refer to teaching strategies that are unplanned and emerge spontaneously based on the interests and actions of the learners. Rather than following a pre-determined lesson plan, educators observe and respond to learners’ cues and interests, allowing the learning process to unfold naturally. Example: In a preschool classroom, a teacher notices that children are engaged in building a structure with blocks. Instead of interrupting their play, the teacher observes and listens to their conversations. Based on their interests, the teacher guides the discussion towards concepts such as balance, stability, and engineering principles. Developmentally Appropriate Practice: Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP) refers to teaching methods and materials that match the developmental level, abilities, and interests of the learners. It considers the individual needs of each learner and provides appropriate challenges and support to foster optimal learning and development. Example: In an early childhood classroom, a teacher plans activities that align with the developmental abilities of the children. For instance, instead of expecting young children to sit still for long periods, the teacher incorporates hands-on activities, play, and movement to engage them in learning. Emergent Curriculum: Emergent Curriculum is an approach to teaching and planning that allows learning experiences to emerge from the interests, questions, and experiences of the learners. It values the unique perspectives and contributions of the individuals and encourages active engagement and inquiry-based learning. Example: In an elementary school classroom, the teacher notices that a group of students is fascinated by insects. The teacher decides to build the curriculum around this interest, incorporating activities such as researching different insects, creating a bug habitat, and conducting experiments related to insect behavior. Open-ended questions and materials: Open-ended questions and materials are those that do not have a single correct answer or predetermined outcome. They encourage critical thinking, creativity, and exploration, allowing learners to express their ideas, opinions, and solutions in a variety of ways. Example: During a science lesson, a teacher asks students, “Why do you think plants need sunlight?”. This open-ended question allows students to think critically and share their own interpretations and explanations based on their understanding. Similarly, open-ended materials like art supplies or building blocks allow learners to explore and create without specific instructions or constraints. Chosen Term: Emergent Curriculum Video Option: “The Power of Emergent Curriculum” by Community Playthings I believe the video “The Power of Emergent Curriculum” by Community Playthings is a good representation of the term “Emergent Curriculum.” The video highlights the importance of following children’s interests and incorporating their ideas into the learning process. It showcases how the teacher observes, listens, and engages with the children to create meaningful learning experiences. The video demonstrates how an emergent curriculum approach fosters curiosity, critical thinking, and active engagement in the learning environment. It also emphasizes the value of collaboration, flexibility, and adaptability in planning and implementing emergent curriculum. Overall, the video effectively portrays the principles and benefits of emergent curriculum in early childhood education.

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