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A Balancing Act
An appropriate curriculum contains a balance of learning activities supporting all developmental domains. These activities must be chosen with care. Activities that keep children busy are not always the best activities. Likewise, just because children prefer a certain activity does not mean it must be kept included in the curriculum. You must evaluate each activity to be sure it is right for the children.
A good curriculum includes a balance of structured as well as unstructured learning activities. Examples of unstructured activities include block building, collages, water play, and sand play. Children should spend most of their time in self-initiated play with unstructured activities. This type of play allows them opportunities to practice newly developed skills.
Structured, or close-ended, learning activities also need to be included. These activities indirectly prescribe children's actions. Stringing beads, working puzzles, and cooking are all examples.
Be sure to include a balance of indoor and outdoor learning activities. Many indoor learning activities can be moved outdoors. Painting, water play, and story and music time can all be done outdoors.
Active and quiet learning activities must be balanced. Planning too many active learning activities in a row may over stimulate some children. The result can be chaotic. To prevent this, follow active learning activities with quiet ones. For example, outdoor activity followed by a story and small group would be a good balance.
Too many quiet learning activities in a row also have a drawback. Children will get restless. The results can be just as chaotic as too many active learning activities. Children may lose interest in the activities and begin to wiggle and talk out of turn.
An appropriate curriculum contains a balance of learning activities supporting all developmental domains. These activities must be chosen with care. Activities that keep children busy are not always the best activities. Likewise, just because children prefer a certain activity does not mean it must be kept included in the curriculum. You must evaluate each activity to be sure it is right for the children.
A good curriculum includes a balance of structured as well as unstructured learning activities. Examples of unstructured activities include block building, collages, water play, and sand play. Children should spend most of their time in self-initiated play with unstructured activities. This type of play allows them opportunities to practice newly developed skills.
Structured, or close-ended, learning activities also need to be included. These activities indirectly prescribe children's actions. Stringing beads, working puzzles, and cooking are all examples.
Be sure to include a balance of indoor and outdoor learning activities. Many indoor learning activities can be moved outdoors. Painting, water play, and story and music time can all be done outdoors.
Active and quiet learning activities must be balanced. Planning too many active learning activities in a row may over stimulate some children. The result can be chaotic. To prevent this, follow active learning activities with quiet ones. For example, outdoor activity followed by a story and small group would be a good balance.
Too many quiet learning activities in a row also have a drawback. Children will get restless. The results can be just as chaotic as too many active learning activities. Children may lose interest in the activities and begin to wiggle and talk out of turn.
The course does not "save" your progress. Use the checklist provided to track your progress, and click on the link in the menu to return to where you left off in the training.
