Open Discussion Forum

Expand all | Collapse all

Curriculum for three year olds

  • 1.  Curriculum for three year olds

    Posted 12-07-2018 02:48 PM
    I was wondering what curriculum people use and like? I live in New York and teach in a grant funded three year old program and we are looking to change our curriculum.

    ------------------------------
    Maura Surdyka
    Teacher
    Sodus Elementary School
    Ontario NY
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Curriculum for three year olds

    Posted 12-08-2018 01:03 PM
    Our school uses Creative Curriculum, a highly researched program based on developmentally appropriate guidelines. The books that explain the curriculum are very clear. This curriculum does have activity ideas, but is  also very focused on thoughtfully setting up the environment and on emphasizing relationships as a way to optimize learning.

    ------------------------------
    Hilary Laing
    Teacher
    Orono Discovery Center
    Orono MN
    ------------------------------



  • 3.  RE: Curriculum for three year olds

    Posted 12-09-2018 08:36 AM
    Our school also use the creative curriculum. However, you will have to tone it down to fit the three year olds. I get creative with it and mostly use the activities and adapt it to my class
    Sahadri

    ------------------------------
    Sahadri Khalsa
    Los Ninos Kingergarten Ctr
    Santa Cruz NM
    ------------------------------



  • 4.  RE: Curriculum for three year olds

    Posted 12-10-2018 10:28 AM
    Creative Curriculum is good from Birth to third grade if you get the online version on Teachingstrategiesgold.com. It is very good. You can do lesson planning and assessments on the same site. My teachers love it and I, the Director, can check on what is being done without the paperwork that usually piles up o my desk. Holly

    ------------------------------
    Holly Kerins
    Calvary Baptist Children's Learning Center
    Norristown PA
    ------------------------------



  • 5.  RE: Curriculum for three year olds

    Posted 12-09-2018 11:10 AM
    I would hope with <g class="gr_ gr_78 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="78" data-gr-id="78">3 year olds</g>, you would use "emergent curriculum" that is based on what you know the children are capable of and developmentally ready for at 3 years old. You can find a lot of information on <g class="gr_ gr_142 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="142" data-gr-id="142">emergent</g> curriculum in books written by Susan Stacey and Carol Ann Wien, which you can find by googling their names. Both have written extensively for Young Children and Voices of Practitioners.

    I do not think it is appropriate to use a "curriculum" that does not reflect the culture and experiences of the children with whom you are working. How you structure the learning experiences of <g class="gr_ gr_259 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="259" data-gr-id="259">3 year olds</g> should not only reflect culture and experience but be a reflection of the interests of the children. Listen and observe them carefully and start from there.

    Best of luck.

    ------------------------------
    Nora Krieger
    Associate Professor Emerita/ Chair NJEEPRE
    Bloomfield College/ New Jersey Educators Exploring the Practices of Reggio Emilia
    Highland Park NJ
    ------------------------------



  • 6.  RE: Curriculum for three year olds

    Posted 12-09-2018 12:14 PM
    So well said. Thank you

    ------------------------------
    Sahadri Khalsa
    Los Ninos Kingergarten Ctr
    Santa Cruz NM
    ------------------------------



  • 7.  RE: Curriculum for three year olds

    Posted 12-10-2018 09:51 AM
    Awesome! Currently I use the Learn Everyday (Kaplan). I have the infant, todddler and two as well as the Preschool volumes. I will also look into Emergent Curriculum. My goal is to utilize research and evidenced-based practices. I was tempted to use Creative and HighScope but I am comfortable with Learn Everyday. I have only been in business a year so of course I get overwhelmed with information. Hopefully one day I will transition to the bigger names which suggest extra training to effectively use their programs. As a newbie this one works and I will definitely look into Emergent; based on your reply it fits my current needs.

    ------------------------------
    Malikan Forde
    Owner
    Pineapple Haven LLC
    Midlothian VA
    ------------------------------



  • 8.  RE: Curriculum for three year olds

    Posted 12-10-2018 02:00 PM
    Hi Maura,
    I agree that emergent curriculum is the most appropriate and also, it's FREE.  It's not a purchased curriculum, but more of a philosophy.  In addition to the authors recommended by Nora Krieger, I'll also add Margie Carter and Deb Curtis.  They have written extensively for Red Leaf Press and have a wonderful way of explaining the benefits of being a reflective teacher.  The whole idea idea of emergent curriculum is to really know child development, and specifically the children in your classroom.  Plan curriculum that is developmentally and culturally relevant to them and what they experience in their lives.  For example, during the winter time we don't plan 'snow' curriculum because children in Costa Mesa, don't live in the snow. Emergent curriculum is not thematic, however interests do emerge and you will continue to extend those interests for as long as it is meaningful for the children.  The curriculum is planned with the child in mind, not a theme that comes from a book or the teacher.  I could go on and on about this :-)  This is the philosophy that we teach our college students and what we practice in our campus Early Childhood Lab School.  Best of luck finding the match that works best for you!

    ------------------------------
    Laurie Campbell
    Professor- ECE
    Orange Coast College
    California
    ------------------------------



  • 9.  RE: Curriculum for three year olds

    Posted 12-11-2018 12:26 PM
    It is refreshing to see advocacy for Emergent Curriculum, especially from higher education. Many Early Childhood Education students are under pressure from QRIS programs which "prescribe" curricula. I imagine it is due to a focus on child assessment and child outcomes. Some curriculum approaches integrate assessment tools into their "package".

    Emergent Curriculum encourages educators to use authentic assessment through observation and documentation of child behavior. It is not "automated" and requires more creativity and knowledge of child development on the part of the caregiver. I believe it is an integral part of the paradigm shift Ann Pelo and Margie Carter call for in "from Teaching to Thinking".

    ------------------------------
    Linda Boss
    Instructor, Continuing Education Institute
    University of WI - Platteville
    Lewistown PA
    ------------------------------



  • 10.  RE: Curriculum for three year olds

    Posted 12-11-2018 05:02 PM
    Dear Maura,

    I agree with those who suggest that an emergent approach to teaching preschool is ideal.  However, I sense that, because you were asking about a recommendation for a purchased curriculum, you may see that task as daunting.  If you are new to teaching, if you never have had any training in emergent curriculum, if you have no mentor to guide you and encourage you, then developing that style of teaching may seem like a very time consuming task with a high risk of failure.  If that is true for you, or for others who might be reading this thread, I have a suggestion.  Consider a "Hybrid".  It's easy and quick to start, but allows you the flexibility to develop your skills as you learn more about the emergent style of teaching.

    First, write your own curriculum outline that will cover your teaching year.  (Mine was for 9 months, but could easily be extended for 12 month programs).  In your outline, consider what would make good, relevant "themes" for each month.  I looked at seasons and relevant holidays first, (October= Autumn, December= Christmas, January= Winter, April= Easter, etc.)  For the remaining months I added other ideas of popular topics that preschoolers usually think about and experience, (September= All About me, February= My Community, May= Growing Plants, etc.)  After that I divided up the alphabet, numbers, colors, shapes between the 9 months, considering how those pieces would best fit each theme.  Then  I also considered what "featured" author would work best, a science topic, etc. for each theme.  I considered my learning centers, and how they could be customized each month to fit the theme, and which "general" items would just stay put.   (I'm sure some of you are gasping by now...but just wait...)

    Once I got started, I was then able to observe, reflect, and respond to how the children were receiving the activities.  If the students seemed disinterested, and the topic felt forced, I could move on to the next topic sooner.  Or tweek it a little.  Or, as I became more skilled, I could identify more easily where the students were taking the material and how to support their interests and build on their natural curiosity.  As an example, I may have started with the "All About Me" theme in September, but it could move in any number of directions that the children found interesting:  my family, my pets, my home, homes around the community, or the world, homes of animals, my body, how I'm different or like my friends, my 5 senses, my name, feelings, etc.  The curriculum gave me a starting point, but since I was the author, I was able to follow and support the interests of the children and allow the learning to, well, emerge.  :)

    As time went on, I was also able to leave my "outline" to support interests of my group that were not included in the original draft.  We had a summer playing "Olympic Games" during an Olympic year.  We developed learning around "camping", and then "cowboys" because those ideas are relevant to the lives of kids raised in Cody, WY.  We did a woodworking unit in December and called it "Santa's Workshop".  I was able to leave my "letter, number, shape, and color" elements as I learned how to better support literacy and math with more wholistic methods incorporated into those themes.  Because the curriculum was my own, it was able to evolve as I grew in my teaching capabilities.  

    Here is my point:  Emergent curriculum may be considered the ideal, and is something to reach for.  But some of us may have to compromise with a "hybrid" while we are learning and building the skills necessary to pull it off.  If you feel overwhelmed with the idea of learning a whole new approach, i suggest you start with a simple outline, and incorporate what you learn from the books on the emergent approach as you go.  :)   

    I hope this will help those who don't have the benefit of a college professor, university learning lab, or gifted mentor.





     


    ------------------------------
    Elizabeth Werner
    Blessed Beginnings
    Cody WY
    ------------------------------



  • 11.  RE: Curriculum for three year olds

    Posted 12-11-2018 07:59 PM
    Awesome post!! I need to print this and add it to my vision board. I have been in business a year (State Licensed Family Day Home) and have joined so many organizations and each has "buzz words" I sure parents would love to hear as I orient them to my program. Overwhelming is an understatement, especially if you own and operate your program alone. Thanks for sharing! At least I know I am not alone or the only one who has experienced these feelings.

    ------------------------------
    Malikan Forde
    Owner
    Pineapple Haven LLC
    Midlothian VA
    ------------------------------



  • 12.  RE: Curriculum for three year olds

    Posted 12-11-2018 09:24 PM
    Miss Elizabeth you spoke from your heart and did a fantastic job at it. Everything has to have a core content of choice from which to start or one will become overwhelm. I started off exactly like you and after many years I am still at the point where you are at. Curriculum is always emerging because its based on students need. The most important thing is to respect children's varied interest and ways of learning and then everything will fall into place.

    ------------------------------
    Sahadri Khalsa
    Los Ninos Kingergarten Ctr
    Santa Cruz NM
    ------------------------------



  • 13.  RE: Curriculum for three year olds

    Posted 12-11-2018 10:58 PM
    I agree with those who talked about Emergent Curriculum and with those who suggested a hybrid curriculum. I have worked with a "canned curriculum" before when I was a substitute teacher in a public school system. They had a 4K program and one teacher was having twins so I subbed a lot in her room. This curriculum had the kids learning about desert animals in March. Which isn't bad, except we live in Southern Wisconsin, no deserts around. I try to focus on the "here and now" when it comes to my students. Things they can see, hear, feel, maybe taste, and experience. 

    I am currently writing 3K and 4K curriculum as my school is undergoing Lutheran Schools Accreditation. It's overwhelming to start, but once I have the overall plan in place it will be easy to tweak it year to year based on my students. 

    Think about where you want your students to be when they move onto the next "grade/classroom", then work backward. What skills do they need in December to be able to accomplish goals in May? For example, by May my 4K classes can do simple addition with pictures. I might say I have 3 apples, and then I pick 2 more. How many apples is that? I will then draw 3 apples and then 2 more apples on the board and we can count that we then have 5. However, my students need to know the concept of a number or they have no idea how many "3" is. 

    Best wishes as you work on this and make a decision! Teaching little people does require quite a bit of mental strength ;)

    ------------------------------
    Heather Finnegan
    Preschool Teacher
    Our Redeemer Lutheran Church with School
    Delavan WI
    ------------------------------



  • 14.  RE: Curriculum for three year olds

    Posted 12-12-2018 04:44 AM
    Personally, I am not a fan of "purchased/canned" curriculum packages. I do like "The Project Approach" because it opens the door for the children to create their own themes. You can also give your staff a questionnaire asking "What areas/centers do you (personally) like best. Which ones are you least comfortable in?" "Do you feel you are a more creative or analytical person?" "What was your favorite childhood activity?" At your monthly staff meeting ask the teachers to discuss at least 1 activity which meets one or more of these goals: Social, Emotional, Motor (fine and gross) Creative, Cognitive and/or STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art (not necessarily a craft, could be music/dance etc) technology.

    Having taught in a "looped" and multi-age classroom I kept monthly "theme" plans in a binder for 3 or more years and then rotated as needed.

    Introducing children to "the arts" is great fun. Pop into your local library and bring some of the large art books into your room. Between the teachers and the children these can provide great inspiration for learning...encourage your staff to "open their minds" and see how the art can be incorporated into ALL areas of your classroom...I.E. "What does music look like?. Play different kinds of music and ask the children to draw what they year (switch up the medium as well...not just crayons/pencils/paint but also collage etc.

    If the teachers are having fun the students will as well.

    ------------------------------
    Karin King
    Education Consultant
    Trumbull CT
    ------------------------------



  • 15.  RE: Curriculum for three year olds

    Posted 12-13-2018 12:36 PM
    I'm wondering if anyone can talk about how you incorporate your state's learning standards/guidelines (or insure that you are considering them as you go about your planning throughout the year)?  Not to complicate the original question but to add to the richness of what has been posted so far!  Thank you!  Andrea

    ------------------------------
    Andrea Dekker
    TA Specialist
    United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona
    Tucson AZ
    ------------------------------



  • 16.  RE: Curriculum for three year olds

    Posted 12-14-2018 08:52 AM
    I would suggest reading some of Dr. Maria Montessori's work.  Not a curriculum per se, but her work provides the insight and foundation for how the very young child thinks and learns.

    ------------------------------
    Pam Ebersole
    Early Childhood Educator
    Palm Bay, Florida
    ------------------------------



  • 17.  RE: Curriculum for three year olds

    Posted 12-14-2018 09:32 AM
    Maria Montessori's work is definitely not a curriculum per se. One important aspect of her work is her emphasis on developing children's independence and self-help skills, which are very important for later development and success.

    ------------------------------
    Nora Krieger
    Associate Professor Emerita/ Chair NJEEPRE
    Bloomfield College/ New Jersey Educators Exploring the Practices of Reggio Emilia
    Highland Park NJ
    ------------------------------



  • 18.  RE: Curriculum for three year olds

    Posted 12-14-2018 09:55 AM
    As an AMI credentialed Montessori teacher for 3-6 year-olds in a public charter school, I work very closely with our private VPK school that serves our 3-5 year-olds.  I am wondering how our students would fare with a Montessori-based program over a curriculum-based program?  Any thoughts on this?

    ------------------------------
    Pam Ebersole
    Early Childhood Educator
    Palm Bay, Florida
    ------------------------------