Curriculum Planning should be comprehensive and inclusive, focusing on four developmental domains which includes Cognitive growth (language and literacy, math concepts & science); Physical; Social and emotional; and Aesthetic development. It is vital to have a meaningful curriculum which is based on children’s interest.
The rational for choosing this topic is because I strongly believe that a child centered curriculum fosters diversification, flexibility and is coherent across levels enabling children to embrace learning. Family involvement must be promoted and encouraged, with respect and appreciation for the value of the home culture. This enhances children’s self-esteem and enables a child to see and explore who they are within the context
It is a child-centered curriculum, based on the image of children as full of life, power and confidence, rather than full of need. The principles and values of Reggio Emilia are based on the belief that children are competent, and their natural ability & ideas are supported. Teachers are aware of the children’s potential and construct the learning environment accordingly. The role of the environment has great impact on children and serves as another teacher. The natural light, space, colour, recyclable materials, including plants and the children’s art displays are used to enhance the environment. Children learn more effectively when they are able to use a wide range of materials. The role of the teacher is to facilitate between the children’s current understanding and working towards their maximum potential by reviewing and guiding their own learning. Teachers work with children on problem solving, connecting them with resources, facilitating group discussions and developing new skills. Children’s learning is observed and documented by audio and visual recordings and by taking photographs of the children during the activities. Reggio’s core value is to involve parents as collaborators in the children’s learning
I plan to achieve this by evaluating and understanding the children’s potential, making them part of the decision making process in stimulating their own learning environment. The curriculum in my kindergarten is a teacher-structured approach. I would like to make a transition towards a child-centered curriculum in which the teaching allows to work with children in small groups. The Reggio Emilia’s approach allows flexibility and yet maintains the consistency of learning. I would plan activities with a range of different materials and resources. I will involve parents in the child’s learning by inviting them to attend variety of events throughout the school year. By implementing a three way teacher-environment-parent philosophy of learning, bearing in mind that all children are different and each of them has their own capabilities, strengths and weaknesses, I would encourage the child in participatory learning and setting their own environment. By setting up different corners, like reading, drawing, painting or art. In this way the learning becomes individualized, which greatly benefits children. I will apply the theory of Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development; to bring out the child’s maximum potential. This will help to fill in the gap between what the child is able to do and