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E03 Curriculum Development Using the guidelines in Chapter 16 of your textbook, choose a thematic topic for a group of 3-year-old children

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E03 Curriculum Development Using the guidelines in Chapter 16 of your textbook, choose a thematic topic for a group of 3-year-old children. In a two-page response, explain why you selected the topic, and discuss how it is age-appropriate, individually appropriate, and socioculturally appropriate for these children. Give specifics.

2.            Using the guidelines in Chapter 16 of your textbook, choose a thematic topic for a group of 8-year-old children. In a two-page response, explain why you selected the topic, and discuss how it is age-appropriate, individually appropriate, and socioculturally appropriate for these children. Give specifics.

Lecture Notes

Welcome to your last lesson! I’m sure you are feeling an enormous sense of accomplishment for completing another course and being one step closer to a career in early childhood education. Seven lessons ago you were introduced to the definition and importance of a developmental curriculum. You have been exposed to some of education’s “greats,” like Piaget and Vygotsky. Hopefully you have a better understanding of how to best involve and invite parents into your room, involve children in purposeful play, create a safe and effective environment, plan and evaluate, and gear your classroom to be developmentally appropriate.

So, what could possibly be left to study? Chapter 15 jumps into a subject that has been touched on but hasn’t been fully explored – pretend and construction play. Play of any type is of extreme importance in an early childhood classroom. This is where the “magic” happens and children are free to explore, create, imagine, pretend, hypothesize, and test out their ideas. Please understand that the time you allow for children to play is never time wasted or just a “time filler.” Some of my favorite times in the classroom, whether with 3-year-olds or second-graders, have been watching them play. I’m always enthralled by the elaborate plans they can make, the stories they create, and the adventures that ensue. You will often hear one child give the rules to another, assign roles, and admonish what to do and not do. You will most likely hear yourself in their conversations. That’s a good reminder that they’re always listening and emulating what we say!

Pretend play is often accompanied by construction play. Every classroom should have construction materials that the children have access to. Children are quite creative and typically have a plan as they construct. Occasionally you will see a child who looks confused or uninspired. This is a great opportunity for you to make suggestions, ask a question that might spark thinking, or offer an addition to the play area. Sometimes they get sidetracked and just need to be refocused.

Chapter 16 is a fantastic culminating chapter for this course. You will see how all of your curriculum knowledge is put together to create a schedule that works best for your students. Keep in mind that children like schedules, knowing what will come next, and what each day looks like. This helps with transition times as well. Moving from one activity to another works best when students know what to expect and the transitions are familiar. If you aren’t naturally a good time manager, this is something you will need to work on. It’s important to be mindful of your schedule. Does this mean that you must be a slave to the clock and that every element of the schedule must be adhered to strictly? No. When children are actively engaged or there’s a slight change to the daily routine, don’t panic and feel like all is lost if the schedule gets slightly adjusted. As the textbook mentions, there should be a nice balance between variety and familiarity.

You certainly have a wealth of knowledge about curriculum. If it feels overwhelming at this point, don’t worry. Just remember to plan with each child’s needs in mind and how he or she can benefit the most.

I wish I could come along with all of you as you begin your career as an early childhood educator. Oh, the stories you will have to tell! Take all of the information you have learned, combine it with the passion you have for educating children, and enjoy the journey!