-
Essay / Curriculum Design - 1924
The early childhood curriculum encompasses a variety of topics and activities. Within these topics and activities are standards that help educators teach appropriate material. The idea of standards is to develop an educational foundation for students. Early childhood education curriculum is linked to state and national standards. The importance of an early childhood curriculum depends on a number of factors. The quality of staff, an appropriate environment, appropriate mixed grouping practices, consistent schedules and parental involvement are all important factors. One of the goals of a quality curriculum should be to focus on continuous educational improvement. There is no one program that is suitable for all students. Thus, when designing a curriculum, it is important to consider the developmental needs of students. The National Association for Education of Young Children (NAEYC) defines curriculum as an organized framework that delineates the content children should learn, the processes by which children achieve identified educational goals, what teachers do to help children to achieve these objectives and the context. in which teaching and learning take place (Fuhriman and Thomson, 1994). Programs should be tailored to the interests and needs of each child and be culturally appropriate. Students will be diverse not only in terms of culture, but also in terms of experiences, maturation, learning styles, and parental status. Because of these many diversities, it is important to use a variety of sources when thinking about curricula. Therefore, when planning a curriculum, it is important to consider a wide range of diversity, needs and interests. The curriculum is what happens in the classroom. Teaching c...... middle of paper ...... programs and practices. (1997). Retrieved from http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/students/earlycld/ea100.htm Fuhriman, C and Thomson, L. (1994). A practical guide to the early childhood curriculum. Simon & Schuster ChildrenIntroduction to naeyc accreditation standards and criteria. (nd). Retrieved from http://www.naeyc.org/academy/primary/standardsintroMcGlothlin, D. Ohio Department of Education, (2003). Early Learning in Ohio Retrieved from http://www.ode.state.oh.us/GD/Templates/Pages/ODE/ODEDetail.aspx?page=3&TopicRelationID=1389&ContentID=1629&Content=83592Naeyc Career Readiness Standards. (2010, January). Retrieved from http://www.naeyc.org/files/ecada/file/2010%20NAEYC%20Ini ial%20&%20Advanced%20Standards.pdfNational Council of Teachers of Mathematics. (nd). Retrieved from http://www.nctm.org/standards/content.aspx?id=26848