Define what curriculum is in early childhood education? Provide a rationale for your statement using unit content reference support.
Curriculum in early childhood education (ECE) is the planned set of experiences that are provided to children in order to help them learn and grow. It includes the content that is taught, the activities that are planned, and the materials that are used.
There are many different ways to define curriculum in ECE. One definition is that it is “a plan for learning experiences that are designed to help children reach their full potential.” (Copple & Bredekamp, 2009, p. 20). Another definition is that curriculum is “the content and process of children’s learning experiences.” (NAEYC, 2009, p. 3).
The unit content reference support for these definitions comes from the NAEYC (2009) position statement on developmentally appropriate practice. This statement outlines the key elements of ECE curriculum, including:
- Breadth and balance: The curriculum should cover a wide range of topics, including cognitive, social-emotional, physical, and language development.
- Relevance: The curriculum should be relevant to children’s interests and experiences.
- Active engagement: Children should be actively engaged in the learning process.
- Play: Play is a natural way for children to learn and should be an integral part of the curriculum.
- Collaboration: Children should have opportunities to collaborate with others and learn from each other.
- Assessment: The curriculum should be assessed on a regular basis to ensure that it is meeting the needs of the children.
These elements of curriculum are essential for providing high-quality ECE experiences. By providing children with a broad and balanced curriculum that is relevant to their interests and experiences, and that engages them in active learning, early childhood educators can help children reach their full potential.
2. Discuss how children learn the curriculum by playing in early childhood education?
Play is a natural way for children to learn and explore the world around them. It allows them to use their imaginations, to solve problems, and to learn about themselves and others. In ECE, play is an integral part of the curriculum.
There are many different ways that children learn the curriculum by playing. For example, children can learn about math concepts by playing with blocks or counting objects. They can learn about science concepts by exploring nature or conducting experiments. They can learn about social-emotional concepts by playing with other children and learning how to interact with them.
Play also helps children develop their cognitive, social-emotional, physical, and language skills. For example, playing with blocks helps children develop their fine motor skills. Playing with other children helps them develop their social skills. Playing outdoors helps them develop their gross motor skills. And playing with language helps them develop their language skills.
In conclusion, play is a powerful way for children to learn the curriculum in ECE. It allows them to use their imaginations, to solve problems, and to learn about themselves and others. It also helps them develop their cognitive, social-emotional, physical, and language skills.
