LearningGames and Early Childhood Curriculum Connecting Center-Based and Home Learning Using a Comprehensive Curriculum Hilary Parrish Product Development Specialist

2 © 2007 Copyright Teaching Strategies Why Family Matters in an Early Childhood Environment “Active Involvement” by parents in the child’s first three years of life predicts cognitive development at 36 months of age (Liaw, Meisels, and Brooke-Gunn, 1995). Positive parent attitudes predict better child social and academic outcomes in kindergarten (Rimm-Kaufman, et al. 2003).

3 © 2007 Copyright Teaching Strategies LearningGames Simple activities designed to support positive adult-child interactions. Everyday experiences are opportunities to build positive relationships and promote children’s learning.

4 © 2007 Copyright Teaching Strategies is research-based (how children learn) is scientifically based (shows positive outcomes) defines the content children are to learn describes the processes through which children achieve the curricular goals A high-quality, comprehensive, early childhood curriculum…

5 © 2007 Copyright Teaching Strategies identifies what teachers do to achieve these goals describes the context in which teaching and learning occur builds partnerships with families supports inclusion of all children A high-quality, comprehensive, early childhood curriculum…

6 © 2007 Copyright Teaching Strategies A Comprehensive Early Childhood Curriculum Has five components Child Development The Learning Environment The Content Children Learn Teacher-Child Interactions Partnering With Families Built on a solid foundation of research and theory

7 © 2007 Copyright Teaching Strategies Foundation: Theory and Research Early Childhood Curriculum Meeting children’s basic needs Fostering social/emotional development Developing relationships Supporting cognition and brain development

8 © 2007 Copyright Teaching Strategies Child Development Early Childhood Curriculum What children under 5 are like in terms development Social/Emotional Physical Cognitive Language And characteristics and experiences that make a child unique Goals and objectives address both development and learning

9 © 2007 Copyright Teaching Strategies Early Childhood Curriculum The selection of equipment & materials and the arrangement of the furniture The structure of the day’s events The social environment that is created by the teachers The Learning Environment

10 © 2007 Copyright Teaching Strategies What Children Learn Early Childhood Curriculum Children are naturally : Communicators Mathematician Scientists Young children’s early experiences and explorations are the building blocks for future language, literacy, math, science and social studies learning. Teachers intentionally plan appropriate experiences based on children’s developmental needs and interests.

11 © 2007 Copyright Teaching Strategies Early Childhood Curriculum Focus on building trusting, responsive, and caring relationships. Guide children’s behaviors in positive ways and respond to challenging behaviors as they arise. Guide children’s learning through child-initiated play and teacher-directed activities in one-on-one, in small-group, and in large-group experiences. Adult-Child Interactions

12 © 2007 Copyright Teaching Strategies Partnering with Families Early Childhood Curriculum Curriculum provides guidance on: Getting to know and appreciating each family Making families feel welcome Communicating regularly Sharing children’s progress

13 © 2007 Copyright Teaching Strategies Connecting to LearningGames Foundation: Research and Theory Based on Vygotsky and Piaget Child Development Span the first 60 months of life Activities are geared to each stage and area of child development Families will begin to understand the steps that children go through as they explore activities that address the same objective in a progressively more advanced manner

14 © 2007 Copyright Teaching Strategies Connecting to LearningGames Learning Environment Utilizes the home environment Incorporated into daily routines and experiences Common household materials are used in the activities Adult-Child Interactions Uses simple but powerful teaching strategies 3N—Notice, Nudge, Narrate 3S—See, Show, Say

15 © 2007 Copyright Teaching Strategies Connecting to LearningGames Family Partnerships Helping families see how they can guide their child’s learning Having common experiences to discuss with teachers Expanding the family’s understanding of positive interactions A strong bridge between home and the program is created when teachers have a way to link the classroom experiences with the home experiences

The Creative Curriculum ® — comprehensive curriculum for infants, toddlers, & twos and preschoolers

17 © 2007 Copyright Teaching Strategies The Creative Curriculum Components

18 © 2007 Copyright Teaching Strategies Curriculum and Assessment: An Ongoing Cycle 1. Collecting facts 2. Analyzing and evaluating what you learned 3. Planning for each child and the group 4. Reporting on children’s progress

The Creative Curriculum ® System A Comprehensive, Integrated Curriculum and Assessment System Hilary Parrish Product Development Specialist