Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum Creating curriculum for child care activities.

Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum Focuses on child-centered activities. Allows children to construct knowledge from experience. Recognizes that one aspect of development is not more important than another. Develops the “whole” child. Matches activities and learning targets to the needs of the children.

Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum Encourages play, active exploration, movement, and independence. Reading frequently can encourage language development. Alternating between centers can help children learn a variety of areas. Plans classroom activity based on themes. Challenges children to develop thinking skills. Utilizes developmentally appropriate resources.

Sample Sequential Themes Week 1: I can move crawling, walking, jumping Week 2: Toys I can move or move in big wheels, strollers, wagons Week 3: Things I can ride in cars, trucks, buses

Sample Integrated Curriculum Approach Theme: Trucks Art: construction paper with precut circles to design trucks Easel: dip wheels of cars/trucks in paint and drive on paper Books: variety of books related to cars and trucks Dramatic Play: boxes painted to resemble trucks with steering wheel Blocks: provide wooden trucks and traffic signs; encourage children to build roads Music: sing “Wheels on the Truck Go Round and Round” Sensory: place cars and trucks in a sand table Science: explore how wheels work; compare triangle wheels with circle wheels Math: sort and classify pictures of assorted trucks (tow trucks, dump trucks, garbage trucks, vans, other) Small Motor: provide truck puzzles Large Motor: encourage students to pretend to be trucks outside or in the gym

Sample Theme Ideas 2-3 years old My Senses Hearing Touching Tasting Smelling Seeing Colors Red Blue Green Yellow Purple Etc. Things That Move Me Cars Trucks Boats Planes Animals Pets Farm Zoo Water Bugs Birds Shapes Square Triangle Circle Oval Etc. Family Mom/Dad Aunt/Uncle Grandpa/Grandma Sister/Brother Cousin Pets

Sample Theme Ideas 5 years old Emotions: Anger Happiness Sadness Etc. Fruits and Vegetables Kiwi Apples Muskmelon Peas Corn Communication Books Newspaper Telephone Email Radio TV Seasons Winter Fall Spring Summer Community Helpers Doctor Nurse Mail Carrier Police Officer Firefighter Veterinarian Mechanic Dentist Librarian Teacher

Sample Activity Lesson Plan See sheet. Sample Activity Lesson Plan: Science

Parts of a Lesson Plan Title: Theme: Age: Activity: Materials Needed: Developmental Goal: overall goal of your entire theme Content Learning Objectives: content related to your theme that children are learning General Activity Goals: other skills that children are learning or practicing Procedure: step by step procedure Accommodations: possible changes you could make to accommodate unique learners

Reading Guidelines See handout: Storytelling Guidelines for Reading Along