ECED& 160 - Curriculum Development in Early Childhood Education

1. Explain major early childhood curriculum theories and current trends in curriculum design for early learning environments.
2. Apply principles of developmentally, individually and culturally appropriate practice when designing, implementing and evaluating curriculum.
3. Evaluate integrated learning experiences supportive of children’s development and learning incorporating national, state and local standards.
4. Design curriculum that supports children’s language/communication, cognitive, social/emotional, fine/gross motor and creative development.
5. Design curriculum that is inclusive and represents the diversity of children and families.
6. Plan developmentally appropriate activities and schedules, which promote all children’s growth and learning.
7. Observe, document and assess individual and group needs, interests, and skills for the purpose of curriculum planning and on-going modifications of plans.

1. Design, set up and manage safe, healthy environments, spaces, equipment and materials which invite learning.
2. Discuss the dynamics of family structure.
3. Involve parents and community agencies in early childhood development.
4. Develop, plan, and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum for early education.
5. Modify curriculum, instructional strategies and methods of assessment to meet the needs of exceptional, high risk, and special needs students.

• Critical Thinking - Critical thinking finds expression in all disciplines and everyday life. It is characterized by an ability to reflect upon thinking patterns, including the role of emotions on thoughts, and to rigorously assess the quality of thought through its work products. Critical thinkers routinely evaluate thinking processes and alter them, as necessary, to facilitate an improvement in their thinking and potentially foster certain dispositions or intellectual traits over time.
• Responsibility - Responsibility encompasses those behaviors and dispositions necessary for students to be effective members of a community. This outcome is designed to help students recognize the value of a commitment to those responsibilities which will enable them to work successfully individually and with others.
• Written Communication - Written Communication encompasses all the abilities necessary for effective expression of thoughts, feelings, and ideas in written form.