Editor File (early childhood education, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee) unites contributors in curriculum and instruction, early childhood education, and child development to examine the history of early childhood education and curriculum and influences on early childhood curriculum. Most essays are written in a US context, except chapters on the Reggio Emilia curriculum and New Zealand's national curriculum for young children. The book also highlights gaps in the research on early childhood curriculum. Some of the approaches and their applications covered include the HighScope curriculum and literacy curricula. A conclusion explores the place of play in early childhood curriculum. Annotation ©2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Curriculum in Early Childhood Education: Reexamined, Rediscovered, Renewed provides a critical examination of the sources, aims, and features of early childhood curricula. Providing a theoretical and philosophical foundation for examining teaching and learning, this book will provoke discussion and analysis among all readers. How has theory been used to understand, develop, and critique curriculum? Whose perspectives are dominant and whose are ignored? How is diversity addressed? What values are explicit and implicit?
The book first contextualizes the historical and research base of early childhood curriculum, and then turns to discussions of various schools of theory and philosophy that have served to support curriculum development in early childhood education. An examination of current curriculum frameworks is offered, both from the US and abroad, including discussion of the Project Approach, Creative Curriculum, Te Whariki, and Reggio Emilia. Finally, the book closes with chapters that enlarge the topic to curriculum-being-enacted through play and that summarize key issues while pointing out future directions for the field. Offering a broad foundation for examining curriculum in early childhood, readers will emerge with a stronger understanding of how theories and philosophies intersect with curriculum development.
