Approaches to curricula in the early years

This chapter considers five approaches to early years curricula. Two of these examples consider what we have to learn from taking an historical perspective (Steiner and Montessori). More recent approaches (Schema, Te Whaariki and Reggio Emilia) offer a contrasting perspective on the more centralised models which are being developed in a number of countries, including England. The chapter argues that a consideration of alternative approaches enables us to look at the work of others and have insights into our own practice.