Early Childhood Developmentally Appropriate Practice for Early
COURSE: UNIT B
Education II-7112 Childhood Programs
ESSENTIAL Analyze early childhood curricula based on
3.00 B4 16%
STANDARD: developmentally appropriate practice.
Organize a thematic curriculum that is
OBJECTIVE: 3.03 B4 6%
developmentally appropriate.
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:
∙ What are the elements of planning a thematic curriculum?
∙ How should the elements of a thematic curriculum be organized to fit and function well
together?
UNPACKED CONTENT
Elements of planning a thematic curriculum
∙ Theme
▪ A central topic or concept around which learning activities are planned
▪ Serves three key purposes
° Build connections among concepts
° Help learners connect new information and skills to previous learning
° Reinforce learning and retention
▪ Effective themes
° Are developmentally appropriate---based on children’s ages, abilities,
interests, and social and cultural backgrounds
° Make effective use of available resources
▪ Forms of thematic curricula
° Emergent curriculum
*Emerging from children’s interests and experiences
*Survey children’s interests before selecting a relevant theme
° Spiral curriculum---Use themes that reflect the interests of each age group
*2-year-olds---Narrow interests within their immediate surroundings
*3-year-olds---Broader interests; their families, neighbors, and community
*4- and 5-year-olds---Broadest interests; worldly themes, variety of topics
∙ Concept web
▪ A graphic organizer used to develop ideas and concepts for themes
▪ Typical concepts used to develop a theme
° Vocabulary
° Movement
° Types
° Stages
° Materials
° Characteristics
Organize a thematic curriculum that is
OBJECTIVE: 3.03 B4 6%
developmentally appropriate.
UNPACKED CONTENT
Elements of planning a thematic curriculum, continued
∙ Block plan---An overall view of the curriculum for a day, week, month, or other span
▪ Span of time
▪ Theme
▪ Days and times
▪ Activities/menus
∙ Activity plan---A detailed plan for teaching one lesson at a specified day and time;
also referred to as a lesson plan
▪ Name of teacher
▪ Age and number of children
▪ Date and time
▪ Type of activity
▪ Title of activity
▪ Developmental goals
▪ Rationale
▪ Objective
▪ Setting
▪ Materials
▪ Introduction
▪ Procedures
▪ Accommodations
▪ Closure
▪ Evaluation
Organize a thematic curriculum that is
OBJECTIVE: 3.03 B4 6%
developmentally appropriate.
UNPACKED CONTENT
Organizing elements of planning for a thematic curriculum
1. Select a theme.
Activity Plan
Theme __________________________________________
Name of Teacher _________________________________
Age/No. of Children _______________________________
Date_________________ Time______________________
Type of Activity __________________________________
Title of Activity __________________________________
Developmental Goals
What will this activity help children know and be able to do?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Rationale
Why is this knowledge or skill important for children at this age to know and be able to do? ______________________________
___________________________________________________
Objective
What will children accomplish? What will be the outcome?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Setting
What physical setup---e.g., furniture and equipment--- is needed?
___________________________________________________
Materials
What materials are needed for this activity?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Introduction
Describe how you will motivate/engage children in the activity.
___________________________________________________
Procedures
Describe in detail step-by-step procedures for this activity. What will the teacher do? What will the children do?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Accommodations
Describe how you will adapt procedures to accommodate a child with a specific special need.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Closure
Describe how you will provide closure and transition to next activity. _____________________________________________
Evaluation
How will achievement of objective and goals be assessed?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Develop a concept web related to the theme.Develop a block plan for overall planning
and to ensure a balanced curriculum.
3. Develop activity plans for step-by-step
planning of detailed information.
Theme
Concept Web
Concepts Related to the Theme
Theme
Block Plan
Week ________________ Theme__________________
Times 8:00- 9:30- 10:00- 10:30- 11:00-
9:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30
Free Large Snack Small Out-
Days Play Group Time
Group doors
s
Mon. Activity Activity Menu Activity Activity
Tue. Activity Activity Menu Activity Activity
Wed. Activity Activity Menu Activity Activity
Thu. Activity Activity Menu Activity Activity
Fri. Activity Activity Menu Activity Activity
Legend---
Components of Early Childhood Curriculum
Content * Process * Context * Teacher
WHAT? * HOW/WHEN? * WHY? * WHO?
WHERE?
Organize a thematic curriculum that is
OBJECTIVE: 3.03 B4 6%
developmentally appropriate.
UNPACKED CONTENT
How do the elements of a thematic curriculum fit and function together?
Content---What will be taught?
∙ What knowledge or skills will this curriculum help children know and be able to do?
▪ Is this information worthy of study?
▪ Is this information measurable?
▪ Is the content relevant to accepted developmental goals for this age group?
Process---How and when will this be taught?
∙ What theme/activities will be used to teach this content?
▪ Are the theme/activities age-appropriate?
º Two- to three-year-olds---their immediate world
º Four- to five-year-olds---broad categories
º Six- to eight-year-olds---logic and symbols
▪ Are the theme/activities individually appropriate?
º Are they appropriate for the interests and abilities of the children involved?
º Do they reflect appropriate accommodations for individual needs?
∙ How will resources be used?
▪ Will time be used effectively?
▪ Will material resources be used effectively?
Context---Why were these activities chosen?
∙ Why is this important for children at this age to know or be able to do?
∙ Are the theme/activities socially and culturally appropriate?
▪ Are they relevant to the children’s backgrounds and experiences?
▪ Are the activities appropriate for this community?
▪ Do the activities reflect the philosophy and goals of this program?
▪ Do they reflect a multicultural perspective?
▪Are they appropriate for the season of the year?
Teacher---How will the teacher develop and deliver the curriculum?
∙ How will the teacher determine children’s developmental levels?
∙ How will the time, talents, and skills of the teacher be used effectively?
