Educational Curriculum: The Aesthetic & Affective Domains

Review Unit 4: In Unit 4 you completed the first of three course projects. In the second part of this project you identified a curriculum model you consider effective and supported your choice with current research in early childhood theory. In Unit 6 you expand your defense of this model through the use of electronic libraries/ databases for research purposes.

Unit 5: A Beginning look… Children’s Comprehensive Curriculum The Children’s Comprehensive Curriculum is based on six learning domains: Aesthetic, Affective, Cognitive, Language, Physical, and Social. In Unit 5 you will discover the reason behind the selection of these domains is to help children develop the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and dispositions essential to becoming happy, contributing members of society.

Aesthetic & Affective Domains LEARNING GOALS: Explain what is meant by the word aesthetics and why it is important to create curriculum that advances skills in the Aesthetic Domain. Offer support for how experiences in the arts can affect discovery in the sciences. Create valid learning goals and objectives for lessons in both the Aesthetic and Affective Domains.

Aesthetic Domain Our text defines aesthetics as the ability to perceive through the senses; related to an appreciation of beauty and a feeling of wonder in relationship to art, movement, music, and life. Aesthetic development includes Discovery Activities; Exposure Activities; and Evaluation Activities (RESPONSIVE COMPONENT) – and – Creative Activities (PRODUCTIVE COMPONENT). Out text connects aesthetics to higher level thinking skills; necessary to achievement in all developmental arenas; essential life skills. What do you think?

Affective Domain Learning about one’s emotions, understanding another person’s feelings, acquiring a concept of self, and developing self-efficacy are hallmarks of the affective domain. 5 basic sets of skills constitute emotional intelligence: Self-Awareness Social Awareness Self-Management Responsible Decision Making Relationship Skills

Affective Domain & Special Needs Why are special needs children particularly vulnerable in acquiring effective social and emotional skills? What strategies can help extend the ability of special needs children to interact well with others, adapt in social situations, and understand that behavior carries meaning? Share constructive ways to plan curriculum for the Affective Domain in an inclusive classroom setting.

Seminar Discussion What role do the arts play in curriculum? Drama, dance, art, music, creative language experiences, and physical performance are not only the means to introduce culture into a classroom, but a way to extend higher level thinking skills; to broaden global horizons. It is also a way to motivate the development of cognitive and/or language skills.

Expound on the following beginning with #1: Explain a connection between one of the arts and the development of a specific cognitive or language skill. Predict what the differences might be between a classroom that includes the arts in their curriculum and a classroom that does not. What day-to-day experiences with peers and adults impact the degree to which children achieve greater self-control?

Take 5 & Share Take 5 minutes to locate any article or video on Erik Erikson’s Psychosocial Stages of Development and return to share your findings with consideration of curriculum development. The following link is an interesting link which includes Erikson speaking himself. ERIK H. ERIKSON: A LIFE'S WORK ( DAVIDSON FILMS): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtlKXofxT-4

To Do List Complete the Readings Participate in Discussion Attend Seminar Take Graded Review

Wrap Up “You don’t really understand human nature unless you know why a child on a merry-go-round will wave at his parents every time around — and why his parents will always wave back.” William D. Tammeus