EARLY CHILDHOOD METHODS

This course enhances the student's understanding of developmentally appropriate curriculum, focusing specifically on curricula which provide for all areas of young children's development (3-7), including the physical, intellectual, emotional, social, and linguistic domains. Students will examine the critical role of play-a dynamic, active, and constructive behavior-and determine that it is an essential and integral part of children's learning across all ages, domains, and cultures and therefore must be part of every early childhood curricula. Part of the course work will enable students to evaluate the theory and research integral to a variety of curriculum approaches, analyze early childhood curriculum models, and identify the historical, social and cultural influences on curriculum. Emergent curriculum, play-based curriculum, integrated curriculum across content areas, theme planning versus the project approach, and anti-bias/multicultural curriculum will be examined. By studying the materials and teaching strategies used in a variety of content areas pre-service teachers will discover how children represent their understanding through language, dramatic play, art, blocks, sand and water, and manipulatives. Focus will be on preschool, kindergarten and first grade curricula development and implementation. Clinical Required.