Emergent Curriculum - 3 PARTS (Infant Through School Age)
Emergent curriculum is a philosophy of teaching and way of planning curriculum that focuses on being responsive to children's interests to create meaningful learning experiences. Emergent curriculum requires observations, documentation, creative brainstorming, flexibility and patience. This three-parts emergent curriculum will teach participants how to use tools to create a developmentally appropriate program based on children’s interest and development.
Part 1 - Observing and Documenting (2.5 HOURS)
Observation and documentation are effective ways to understand children’s learning and development. This workshop will teach participants benefits of creating a curriculum around children’s interests, importance of observing and assessing children’s play as well as the learning and development. Participants will learn types of observations, techniques and tools, how to create a program based on children’s development and interest. They will also learn how to create and maintain children’s portfolios (if they don’t have it yet).
Part 2 - Developmental Screening (2.5 HOURS)
Developmental screening observes child’s development and behaviour through questionnaires or checklists about a child’s development, including language, movement, thinking, behavior, and emotions. Participants will learn / practice how to use the Nipissing District Developmental Screen and/or Ages and Stages (depending which one they are using), how to identify children’s developmental areas which need extra attention, and how to use this information in the children’s daily program planning. Participants will choose one child from their age group, practice developmental screening and use that information in daily program.
Part 3 - Emergent Curriculum (2.5 HOURS)
Previous two workshops are results of the beginning an Emergent Curriculum for children. In this last part participants will learn how to use webbing, find and create resources to support children’s development and interests, and create an environment where children learn through play and exploration.