FCI Palm Beach Early Care & Education - DA Curriculum

Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum: 

Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum Why, When, What, How?

What’s In It For Practitioners?: 

What’s In It For Practitioners? Through the use of a Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum teachers are more confident and competent in daily planning and interactions with children and families

What’s In It For the Kids?: 

What’s In It For the Kids? Through the use of a Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum children’s individual needs are met through a rich and stimulating learning environment and supportive interactions

Why? When?: 

Why? When? The School Readiness Act of 1999(F.S. 411.01(5)(c)2.a&2.b) requires that a developmentally appropriate curricula designed to enhance the age-appropriate progress of children be utilized by programs receiving school readiness funds, along with a character development program. It is the right thing to do. NOW

Curriculum by definition: 

Curriculum by definition Think about what the term “curriculum” means to you

What?: 

What? Curriculum is an organized framework that includes: Identified goals for children the content children are to learn, the process through which children achieve identified curricula goals, Teacher’s intentionality in helping children achieve these goals the context in which teaching and learning are occurring N.A.E.Y.C .

Identified Curricula Goals Are:: 

Identified Curricula Goals Are: Aligned with early learning standards in the following domains Physical Development Approaches to Learning Social and Emotional Development Language and Communication Cognitive Development and General Knowledge Realistic and attainable for most children in the designated age range

Curriculum Content: 

Curriculum Content Includes an articulated description of its theoretical basis Addresses the development of knowledge and understanding, processes and skills, disposition and attitudes Provides a broad range of content meaningful to children reflecting their needs and interests Respects and supports individual, cultural and linguistic diversity

Process: 

Process Reflects and is generated by the needs and interests of individual children within the group Incorporates a wide variety of learning experiences, materials and instructional strategies Is supportive of children’s physiological needs for activity, sensory stimulation, fresh air, rest, hygiene and nourishment Builds upon what children already know and are able to do

Teachers: 

Teachers Create a developmentally appropriate learning environment rich with materials which support and extend children’s interests and needs Develop and maintain a well balanced daily schedule and routines into which activities and opportunities are integrated Link planned learning experiences to goals for children Facilitate responsive and supportive interactions

Intentional Teaching: 

Intentional Teaching Teachers consistently ask themselves the following questions What do children need to learn? How will children best learn? How do I help children build on what they know and what they can do? These questions need to be answered for all developmental domains

Context: 

Context The physical environment Program structure/daily schedule Teacher-Child Interactions Assessment Family Involvement

Implementation: 

Implementation Guiding Principles Curriculum training should be provided to all staff Training should include knowledge and skill development in: child development and learning building family and community relationships observing, document and assessing children and program teaching and learning professionalism Health, safety and nutrition Program management and administration

Implementation (cont): 

Implementation (cont) Curriculum implementation should be supervised by an individual who has been trained in the curriculum and has experience in implementation Curriculum implementation should include a quality assurance or fidelity process to ensure appropriate use of materials and adequate knowledge and skill development

Test Yourself: 

Test Yourself Two reasons for implementing a developmentally appropriate curriculum are A definition of developmentally appropriate curriculum is Five main components of a developmentally appropriate curriculum are Intentional teaching involves teachers asking themselves the following 3 questions

Resources: 

Resources For assistance in selecting, designing, and/or implementing a developmentally appropriate curriculum call the curriculum warm line at 561-514-3339 and a curriculum specialist will get back to you.