Foundations of Early Childhood Curriculum

• Define the terminology related to models, programs, and curriculum for early childhood education.
• Examine how educational theories affect the development of appropriate early childhood curriculum.
• Identify quality programs which integrate curriculum focusing on children with special needs and interests and family and cultural diversity.
• Explore the role of the teacher in developing curriculum for early childhood education in today's classroom.

Curriculum Models in Early Childhood Education

• Examine the Montessori Methods, Developmental-Interactive Approach, Direct Instruction, Kamii-DeVries, and High Scope curriculum models.
• Identify the similarities and differences of the models.
• Examine the educational objectives, content, structure, activities, procedures, materials, equipment, and evaluation of each model.
• Analyze how to adapt curriculum models in today's classrooms.

Curriculum for Infants and Toddlers

• Examine the elements to consider when developing curriculum models for infant and toddler learning environments.
• Analyze the characteristics of a quality infant and toddler curriculum model.
• Examine if infant and toddler curriculum supports appropriate physical, cognitive, language, social and emotional development.
• Analyze the role of assessment in infant and toddler curriculum.

Preschool Curriculum

• Examine the goals and characteristics of a quality developmental preschool model.
• Analyze the process of planning and managing instructional practices based on knowledge of individual children, the community, and the goals and content of developmental-thematic curriculum for preschool children.
• Examine if the preschool curriculum supports appropriate language, literacy, cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development.
• Analyze the role of assessment in preschool curriculum.

Kindergarten Curriculum

• Examine the kindergarten curriculum for appropriate development of language arts and literacy, mathematics, science, and social studies skills.
• Analyze the role of play in kindergarten curriculum.
• Analyze the role of assessment in kindergarten curriculum.

Course summary and presentations

• All topics and objectives apply.