In this article, the strategies we used for adapting our chosen curriculum to develop students鈥� critical thinking skills, language and literacy skills, and world knowledge.
During the early childhood years, children start to develop their self-identity, a sense of who they are based on their roles and relationships in their family, early care settings or school and their community.
Katie鈥檚 article describes her and her colleagues鈥� journey with a rare glimpse into what being on the frontline of a professional learning metamorphosis entails.
Promoting justice and knowledge in our youngest learners (and ourselves) could lead to lasting and deep community engagement, empowerment, and evolution.
Authored by
Authored by:
Veronica Benavides, Roxanne Ledda, Maimuna Mohammed
This Young Children cluster advocates a curriculum that is knowledge-rich, that is authentically connected to children鈥檚 social and cultural contexts, and that promotes positive perceptions of social identities.
Knowledge-Rich Curriculum: Supporting Identity Development & Advancing Equity
The December issue of Young Children includes a cluster of articles with perspectives on enriching curriculum by connecting lessons to children's social and cultural contexts.
Much remains to be learned about how to maximize each child鈥檚 development and learning. Important areas for further research include the following topics.
Policymakers must ensure that those working directly with children in early childhood settings have equitable, affordable access to high-quality professional preparation required to meet DAP standards.
Higher education practitioners must prepare early childhood educators to understand and implement all components of developmentally appropriate practice and provide equitable learning opportunities for all young children.
Fully achieving DAP guidelines and effectively promoting all young children鈥檚 development and learning depends on the establishment of a strong profession with which all early childhood educators, working across all settings, identify.
Developmentally appropriate teaching practices encompass a wide range of skills and strategies that are adapted to the age, development, individual characteristics, and the family and social and cultural contexts of each child served.
Observing, documenting, and assessing each child鈥檚 development and learning are essential processes for educators and programs to plan, implement, and evaluate the effectiveness of the experiences they provide to children.
Because early childhood education settings are often among children鈥檚 first communities outside the home, the character of these communities is very influential in children鈥檚 development.
51吃瓜网 defines 鈥渄evelopmentally appropriate practice鈥� as methods that promote each child鈥檚 optimal development and learning through a strengths-based, play-based approach to joyful, engaged learning.
Each and every child, birth through age 8, has the right to equitable learning opportunities鈥攊n centers, family child care homes, or schools鈥攖hat fully support their optimal development and learning across all domains and content areas.
