Early Childhood Curriculum Development

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Curriculum Development and Best Practices in Early Childhood According to NAEYC (2009)," Developmentally Appropriate Practice, is an approach to teaching, grounded in research regarding how young children develop and learn in what is known about early education". When DAP is used in the classroom, teachers/educators have gain a better understanding of how to serve the students within the classroom. By providing a developmentally appropriate environment, teachers are able to meet the needs of all children helping them achieve necessary goals. Within the teaching philosophy, it is important the educators create a teaching philosophy. The purpose of teaching philosophy is to let one know what your beliefs about education are. Writing a philosophy …show more content…

The Materials and resources should support all of the developmental domains, give children the opportunities to explore and be creative. Some examples of materials and resources include board games that teach expectations and turn taking, puzzles that encourage critical thinking, and art materials like paints playdough, markers, stencils, scissors, magazines, and physical materials that help strengthen large and small motor skills. For example, bean bags, jump ropes, balls, etc. The literacy area should offer a variety of genres and multicultural books. Organization of materials is just as important as having developmentally appropriate materials for the classroom. Toys should be clean and in good condition. Materials should be accessible to children. Materials should be labeled and put into containers with the both a picture and written …show more content…

Children are always eager to learn new things and this is where teachers need to plan activities that are developmentally appropriate for children. Activities should be fun and engaging and provide hands on learning experiences for all children. Play is an important part of the Kindergarten classroom and should be incorporated daily. When children have opportunities to play and interact with their peers they learn social skills that will be needed as they grow into adults. Kid writing is an activity that is often used in a kindergarten curriculum. It has been proven to be a successful approach to literacy (kidwriting.com). This activity involves all aspects of phonics, journal writing, and the writing workshop. Kid writing helps children hear the letter sounds that they incorporate into their writing. The teacher and child work closely together, and students in the classroom are able share their writing pieces with one another when they are finished.
A daily schedule that would be appropriate for the kindergarten setting would include, meeting/circle time, language, art, math, science, music, recess, snack, lunch and outdoor play. Free Play or center play should also be incorporated in the daily routine or schedule. This presents children with the opportunities to socialize,

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