Innovations
Based on the view that curricula for young children should involve thinking and planning for everything that can contribute to child development and the teacher's relationship with the child and the family, this book details a comprehensive, interactive curriculum for toddlers 18 to 36 months. Following an introductory chapter presenting the curriculum model and discussing the curriculum planning process, Chapters 2 through 7 each address a major developmental challenge: making the transition to school, making friends, exploring roles, communicating with others, solving problems, and expressing feelings. Within each chapter, the book presents innovations in: (1) observation/assessment, including suggestions for ensuring developmentally appropriate practice and giving feedback to parents about developmental growth; (2) child development, explaining the underlying theory and principles of content knowledge; (3) interactive experiences, listing the types of experiences that teachers must observe, plan, support, and provide; (4) teaching, including the teacher's role in supporting parents, suggestions for self-evaluation, and suggested readings; (5) parent partnerships, giving examples of school-initiated possibilities and parent participation possibilities; (6) environments, focusing on providing an environment to meet toddlers' unique needs; and (7) related curriculum activities plans, called Possibilities Plans, including a concept web, concepts learned, and suggested resources. Activities are included in the following areas: dramatic arts, sensory/arts, curiosity, construction, literacy, music, movement, outdoor, projects, and parent participation. (Contains 94 references.) (KB)