Selecting Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum

When searching for a developmentally appropriate curriculum, remember the philosophy curriculum. Is the curriculum based on the works of an early childhood philosopher who expose children to early childhood development principles? Does the curriculum enable teachers to implement these principles and apply them in a classroom, providing hands-on, center-based activities that promote the development of new skills for each child? The role of the teacher is to facilitate learning, allowing children to make meaningful choices and build self-esteem through staging "successes" that encourages further exploration and learning.

Classroom management is often one of the most difficult skills for a new classroom teacher to master. Without proper planning and adequate classroom materials, many teachers frustrations caused by a classroom out of control. A teacher who does not plan using a developmentally appropriate classroom curriculum that includes an adequate implementation plan will soon find it impossible to maintain an appropriate classroom.

In a well-organized classroom with pre-planned, developmentally handicapped appropriate activities, children are busy exploring, and there will be fewer opportunities for conflicts. A classroom that provides activities through a developmentally appropriate curriculum creates an environment that is less frustrating and as a result, teachers find joy in daily activities. Most importantly, will a developmentally appropriate classroom lead to happy children and happy parents.

Learning Plans, covering topics such as appropriate planning, creating a developmentally appropriate classroom and make the most of learning centers that will help create a classroom environment that actively engages the child and keeps his or her attention. When implemented in the classroom, these components contribute to less discipline problems and a smoother day.

When choosing a curriculum, teachers consider the development of children to ensure the proposed activities in the curriculum can be adapted to different skill levels of each child in the group. Developmentally appropriate learning plans offer unlimited activities that allow children to make choices and are also targets for the activities offered.

The basis for developmentally appropriate curriculum needs and interests of each child. These curricula are filled with many activities to choose from on a daily basis, which provides classroom teachers the opportunity to incorporate a balance between teacher-directed and child-initiated activities. This allows for planned learning and the regime of the children's interests and abilities. Learning plans to offer suggestions for excursions, will community projects and special guests in the classroom help children build a sense of belonging in the big world around them.

The curriculum must include opportunities for child initiated activities that are matched by opportunities for teacher directed activities. Child initiated activities allows children to learn independently through exploration and discovery with the guidance and supervision of teacher. With teacher directed activities, children receive special instruction and teacher are expected to follow a specific plan as outlined under the leadership of the classroom teacher. In both teacher directed and child initiated activities, curriculum selected should include targets for the planned outcome of the activity and provides a well rounded, engaging learning environment that stimulates children's growth in all developmental areas. Whether it's climbing, singing, painting, or spend quiet time in a cozy corner, children will delight in an atmosphere that allows them to explore, explore, learn and discover!

Curriculum activities can often repeated during the week. Repeating daily routines and experiences that can enhance Learning and leads to mastery of skills. Curriculum should be designed to allow flexibility in change activities to meet individual learning styles, abilities and interests of each child. Activities should include cultural awareness through integrated holiday themes, histories and legends, art projects and musical experiences, including contributions from individual children and their family's culture, traditions and rituals.

A curriculum should include a strong understanding of components and academic opportunities that meet the standards for school readiness and help support children's skills in reading and writing in a developmentally appropriate manner. Character education is embedded in a curriculum will allow a teacher to help children develop positive character traits and set the basis for high moral character into adulthood. Recognizing that parents are partners in a young child's journey through education should be proposed to keep them involved in the program, both at home and at school.

Ongoing observation and assessment are essential to meeting the constantly changing needs of young children. Look for a curriculum that includes an assessment component to help teachers assess the children. A proper assessment component aids the teacher's efforts to meet the individual needs of each child and make program improvements are necessary. Once familiar with the curriculum, a teacher must constantly evaluate their children's needs and decide what enrichment is best suited for each child. Using weekly targets, coupled with the child's needs, teachers could offer opportunities for maximum growth and the development of each child. Because children's interests vary on a daily basis, a series of activities will be planned for them to choose from. By recording daily observations of children's interaction with the materials and activities in learning centers and with each other, a teacher to become familiar with children's interests and abilities. These anecdotal notes will provide teachers with the necessary information to make better decisions as centers can be used appropriately enrich the classroom and which activities to include or exclude from future plans.

Early childhood professionals who dedicate themselves to working with young children, finds that each new day presents an opportunity to help them become all they can. A child's natural curiosity and eagerness to explore coupled with a caring teacher and a well-rounded curriculum provides a magic recipe for learning and growth in all areas of child development. The curriculum offers teachers a variety of ideas in an easy to use format that makes the burden of program planning easier and allows the class teacher more time to meet the individual needs of each child.