Early Childhood Education
Curriculum
Supporting and Stimulating Children's Develoment and Learning
Arts-Based Curriculum
Introduction/Overview
Curriculum defines the experiences that children use to develop skills, and construct knowledge and attitudes. Curriculum guides the planning of learning experiences. Learning occurs as children explore materials and interact with each other and children. The NCC Children's Curriculum believes that the arts are a language. Our goals for each child are:
1.) To use multiple languages to communicate and represent what they know and feel.
• Child is given learning experiences to represent and express in each symbol system.
2.) To develop critical and creative thinking.
• Child is given learning experiences to create and solve problems.
3.) To develop and maintain positive relationships.
• Child is given learning experiences to:
i. Connect community, family and culture.
ii. Build relationships with others.
iii. Develop understanding of self.
Verbal Language
Function
Child uses verbal language to…
Ø Listen
Ø Speak
Ø Role play and drama/acting
Ø Write
Ø Read
Ø Express: Role Play, Drama, Story Telling, Authoring
Structure
Child learns and develops the ability to use elements and structure of verbal language …
Ø Articulate sounds and words
Ø Form sentences
Ø Identify and form letters
Ø Tell stories
Learning Experiences
Child is given opportunities to…
Represent and Express by:
Ø Describing objects and events
Ø Imitating
Ø Telling/retelling stories
Ø Giving information
Ø Performing stories
Ø Pretending to be someone/thing else
Ø Using invented spelling
Ø Reading signs, symbols, own words, others words
Ø Rerepresent and/or interpret
Ø Critiquing
Create and Solve Problems by:
Ø Connecting to prior experiences
Ø Observing: looks, listens
Ø Investigating objects and actions. What happens if???
Ø Identifying and describing parts/steps, connections
Ø Predicting
Ø Using different/multiple approaches
Ø Critiquing
Connect community, family, and culture by:
Ø Including bilingual children's home language
Ø Providing stories that reflect a diversity of cultures
Ø Including authors and illustrators
Ø Visiting libraries
Ø Providing play props that reflect diversity
Build Relationships and Understanding of Self by:
Ø Nurturing confident self-concept and group identity
Ø Distinguishing me from others
Ø Doing things for self
Ø Forming attachment to a primary caregiver
Ø Expressing emotions
Ø Showing care and empathy toward the feelings and needs of others, including those from diverse backgrounds
Ø Having time to play and work alone and in groups: share materials, contribute ideas, etc
Ø Solving social conflict situations including responding to bias
Ø Making choices and accepting consequences
Child uses a variety of tools and materials that are adapted as needed…
Ø Writing instruments
Ø Books
Ø Journals
Ø Puppets
Ø Flannel boards
Ø Drama props
Ø Computers with Literacy software
Ø Story Tapes, CDs, Videos
Visual Arts Language
Function
Child uses the visual arts to…
Ø Paint
Ø Draw
Ø Sculpt/Mold
Ø Weave
Ø Build
Structure
Child learns and develops the ability to use elements and principles of visual arts language…
Ø Color
Ø Line
Ø Shape
Ø Texture
Ø Balance
Ø Repetition
Ø Contrast
Ø Unity
Learning Experiences
Child is given opportunities to…
Represent and Express by:
Ø Exploring with materials and tools
Ø Imitating and pretending
Ø Visually creating objects and events
Ø Rerepresent and/or interpret
Ø Critiquing
Create and Solve Problems by:
Ø Connecting to prior experiences
Ø Observing: looks, listens
Ø Investigating objects and actions. What happens if???
Ø Observing people and objects from various perspectives
Ø Identifying and describing parts/steps, connections
Ø Predicting
Ø Using different/multiple approaches
Ø Critiquing
Connect community, family, and culture by:
Ø Displaying photos of families and neighborhood
Ø Including Artists in Residence
Ø Visiting museums and art galleries
Build Relationships and Understanding of self by:
Ø Nurturing confident self-concept and group identity
Ø Distinguishing me from others
Ø Doing things for self
Ø Forming attachment to a primary caregiver
Ø Expressing emotions
Ø Showing care and empathy toward the feelings and needs of others, including those from diverse backgrounds
Ø Having time to play and work alone and in groups: share materials, contribute ideas, etc
Ø Solving social conflict situations including responding to bias
Ø Making choices and accepting consequences
Child uses a variety of tools and materials that are adapted as needed…
Ø Crayons, markers, pencils
Ø Paint and paint brushes
Ø Scissors
Ø Art prints
Ø Clay
Ø Fabric and yarn, string, etc
Ø Variety of papers
Ø Clay
Ø Hammers, saws, wood, etc
Ø Unit building blocks
Ø Draw/paint/construct software
Movement Language
Function
Child uses movement to…
Ø Gesture
Ø Dance
Ø Perform/Play Roles
Ø Play Games and Sports
Structure
Child learns and develops the ability to…
Ø Use elements and principles of the language of dance: space awareness, effort awareness, body awareness
Ø Action Awareness: Use motor skills: walk, run leap, hop, jump, slide, gallop, skip, climb, bend, stretch, swing twist
Learning Experiences
Child is given opportunities to…
Represent and Express by:
Ø Exploring with body, materials and sound
Ø Imitating and pretending
Ø Creating an image or feeling using movement
Ø Feeling and expressing steady beat
Ø Play on motor equipment
Ø Participate in group games
Ø Rerepresent and/or interpret
Ø Critiquing
Create and Solve Problems by:
Ø Connecting to prior experiences
Ø Moving parts of the body
Ø Moving the whole body
Ø Moving with objects
Ø Observing: looks, listens
Ø Investigating objects and actions. What happens if???
Ø Investigating and describing parts/steps, connections
Ø Predicting
Ø Using different/multiple approaches
Ø Critiquing
Connect community, family, and culture by:
Ø Including dances from various global cultures (i.e. Folk dances)
Ø Playing children's games from diverse cultures
Ø Including dancers and athletes
Build relationships and Understanding of self by:
Ø Nurturing confident self-concept and group identity
Ø Distinguishing me from others
Ø Doing things for self
Ø Forming attachment to a primary caregiver
Ø Expressing emotions
Ø Showing care and empathy toward the feelings and needs of others, including those from diverse backgrounds
Ø Having time to play and work alone and in groups: share materials, contribute ideas, etc
Ø Solving social conflict situations including responding to bias
Ø Making choices and accepting consequences
Child uses a variety of tools and materials that are adapted as needed…
Ø Hoops
Ø Balls
Ø Scarves
Ø Ropes
Ø Fabric
Ø Balance Beam
Ø Bean bags
Ø Motor activity structures
Ø Bikes, etc
Ø Prints/pictures of sports, dance, etc
Music Language
