1. Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum
Creating curriculum for child care activities.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

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

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

9. 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

10. Reading Guidelines See handout: Storytelling
Guidelines for Reading Along