WestEd.org The California Infant/Toddler Curriculum Framework: Theory to Practice Putting it All Together: Integrated Curriculum Planning

WestEd.org Course Learning Objectives Participants will be able to: Identify and describe the reflective curriculum planning process. Describe strategies and tools for participatory observation of infants and toddlers and how to make use of these observations of children in a reflective way to document, inform, and plan their curriculum planning process. Understand how to plan curriculum for infants and toddlers in an integrated manner that facilitates development in all four infant/toddler learning domains. Demonstrate understanding of the reflective curriculum planning process.

WestEd.org Planning for Infants’ and Toddlers’ Integrated Learning Rather than being isolated from learning in other domains, reflective curriculum planning strategies for one domain impact children’s learning in other domains. By understanding infant learning in all domains at once, teachers can integrate curriculum planning and connect children’s learning interests and experiences.

WestEd.org Understanding that Learning and Development are Integrated Across Domains 4 Infant/Toddler Learning and Development Guidelines Disc 2, Section 7

WestEd.org Holistic or Integrated Learning Considering the content of the video clip and the activities and assignments you have completed during this course, what are your thoughts/reactions?

WestEd.org Infants & Toddlers Learn Holistically Infants take in information from all domains continuously, naturally and fluidly. Although they often focus on one thing at a time, that focus can change quickly. From their actions, interactions and observations, they pick up all kinds of information that they use to build knowledge and skills. A single interaction can lead to learning about many things in many areas.

WestEd.org Infants Learn Holistically-continued Although a child may start an experience by focusing on something of interest in one domain, the components of all domains are all processed almost simultaneously. Because an infant learns in a holistic way, they many not always focus on the content or skill area that an adult may wish to emphasize. Curriculum plans are best created in ways that reflect the child’s openness to all aspects of an experience.

WestEd.org Changing the Lens: Looking at Observations & Documentation Holistically

WestEd.org Revisit Course Assignments #3-6: Analyze how the curriculum strategies support learning in multiple domains Look at Step 1 of your completed plans for Environment & Materials ( all domains ). Reflect on the following: Are there any similarities across domains? Pick a strategy/material in any domain. What other domains were also supported by this? Discuss how the strategies might be modified to better support integrated learning.

WestEd.org Revisit Course Assignments #3-6 (Continued) Next: Look at Step 2 of your completed plans for Interactions (all domains). Reflect on the following: Are there any similarities across domains? Pick a strategy in any domain. What other domains were also supported by this? What modifications could be made to better support integrated learning?

WestEd.org Assignment #7: Putting it All Together Demonstrate the reflective curriculum planning process through successful completion of the course project, which includes: Reflecting on your observations, documentation, and the curriculum plans you prepared & implemented Creating a display making your efforts and reflections visible Writing a paper that summarizes your reflections including your: - Successes and challenges - Discoveries made along the way - Next steps A brief presentation of your documentation and reflections

WestEd.org Activity: Putting It All Together Use this time and documentation from all of your prior assignments to complete the guided reflections in this handout. Reflections are grouped in 4 categories: A. The Child B. The Reflective Planning Process C. Discoveries Made D. Next Steps

WestEd.org Wrap-up Questions? Final Assignment Next Session