ABSTRACT

Now in a fully updated third edition, The Early Childhood Curriculum demonstrates how to confidently teach using inquiry-based methods that address the whole child while also meeting and exceeding academic standards.

Based on current research showing the powerful advantages of integrating the curriculum while providing inquiry opportunities, this text explores how to make such an approach work for all children, preschool through the primary grades. Since each curricular subject has its own integrity, there is a chapter for each discipline, grounding the reader in the essentials of the subject in order to foster knowledgeable and effective integration. Filled with real-life vignettes and activities, this third edition provides comprehensive information on the most recent trends in national curriculum standards and classroom technology, alongside a new section exploring the outdoors as a welcome learning environment.

Offering a foundation in early childhood theory, philosophy, research, and development, this unique textbook helps future teachers, as well as current educators, understand the "why" of curriculum in early childhood and invests them with the skills they need to move from simply following a script to knowledgeably creating curricula on their own.

part One|126 pages

Inquiry-Based Learning and Curriculum Integration: An Overview

chapter 2|33 pages

The Child-Centered Learning Environment

chapter 3|15 pages

Assessment and Standards

chapter 5|33 pages

Inquiry-Based Learning

part Two|244 pages

The Subject Areas

chapter 6|37 pages

Language and Literacy

chapter 7|38 pages

Mathematics

chapter 8|34 pages

Science

chapter 9|37 pages

Social Studies

chapter 10|33 pages

Music, Dramatic Play, and Drama

chapter 11|34 pages

Art

chapter 12|29 pages

Movement and Physical Education

part Three|11 pages

Concluding Thoughts