1. The Learning Environment
The first step towards implementing a curriculum is to:

2. Organize the classroom into interest areas
Blocks
Dramatic play
Manipulatives (toys and games)
Art
Library
Discovery/Science:
Sand and water
Music and movement

3. Organize the classroom into interest areas (cont.)
Cooking
Computers
Outdoors

4. Establish daily routines/schedule (children know what to expect, and they understand what is expected of them):
Arrival
Group time
Breakfast
Choice time
Outdoor play
Music

5. Establish daily routines/schedule (cont.)
Lunch
Nap time
Snack
Departure

6. Create a classroom community
Build relationship with each child: get to know each child; talk to children respectfully; be sensitive to children’s feelings, acknowledge children’s accomplishments and progress
Help children to make friends: help them to cooperate, share, take turns, show empathy, and help others. Pair children to work on tasks, help them to negotiate and solve conflict

7. Importance of Play
Developmentally Appropriate Practice: teaching children in ways that match the way children develop and learn; provide children challenging, but not overwhelming activities, so they can learn and practice newly acquired skills.

8. Developmental Stages of Play
1. Unoccupied behavior – during infancy, a child occupies himself by watching anything of momentary interest

9. Stages of Play (cont.)
2. Onlooker play – young toddlers focus on the activity rather than the environment

10. Stages of Play (cont.)
3. Solitary play (toddlers) – the child plays alone without the regard to what other children are doing

11. Stages of Play (cont.)
4. Parallel play (ages 2-3) – a child sitting next to another child, playing with the same toys, but in a different way. It is the early stage of peer interaction, but the focus is on the object rather than another child

12. Stages of Play (cont.)
5. Associative play (ages 3-4)- a child goes in and out of the play with other children, uses same toys and participates in the same activity, but in his own way

13. Stages of Play (cont.)
6. Cooperative play (ages 4 and up) – group play that involves organized ideas, assigned roles, taking turns, making friends, organizing games and activities

14. Fostering Play Create a positive and safe place for play
Provide open-ended play materials
Respect and encourage individual differences in play abilities
Have patience with children and give them time to learn new play skills
Introduce activities and materials appropriate for each child’s age and stage of development
Make available culturally diverse materials for all children to enjoy and learn from as they play

15. Encourage cooperation
Allow children extra time to finish activities
Take time to listen to children as they play and to observe how each child plays, what he plays with, who he plays with, and what the child can do

16. Communication with Families
Team work is crucial for the children success
Respect families because they are primary educators of their children
There is a learning process that the teachers and families always face. The teacher is learning from the children and their families
When assessing child’s needs and progress, consider the child's culture
A teacher is prepared to meet the special needs of individual children, including those with disabilities

17. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQKD5evdcrg (Reggio Environment)