Curriculum in early childhood education : re-examined, reclaimed, renewed

Curriculum in Early Childhood Education: Re-examined, Reclaimed, Renewed critically and thoroughly examines key questions, aims, and approaches in early childhood curricula. Designed to provide a theoretical and philosophical foundation for examining teaching and learning in the early years, this fully updated and timely second edition provokes discussion and analysis among all readers. What influences operate (both historically and currently) to impact what happens in young children's classrooms? Whose perspectives are dominant and whose are ignored? What values are explicit and implicit? Each chapter gives readers a starting point for re-examining key topics, encourages a rich exchange of ideas in the university classroom, and provides a valuable resource for professionals. This second edition has been fully revised to reflect the current complexities and tensions inherent in curricular decision-making and features attention to policy, standardization, play, and diversity, providing readers with historical context, current theories, and new perspectives for the field. Curriculum in Early Childhood Education is essential reading for those seeking to examine curriculum in early childhood and develop a stronger understanding of how theories and philosophies intersect with the issues that accompany the creation and implementation of learning experiences. --From publisher's description Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents Preface 1. Curriculum and Research: What Are the Gaps We Ought to Mind, Redux How Sufficient Is Our Research Knowledge? Gaps in Theorizing and Designing Research Conclusion References 2. Public Policy and Early Childhood Curriculum in the United States Introduction The Evolution of ECE Curriculum and Its Connection to Policy Pre-NCLB Post-NCLB The Impact of Policy on Teachers’ Curricular Decision-making Who and What Policy Leaves Out The Impact of Curricular Policies on Young Children The Future of Policy and ECE Curriculum Notes References 3. Standards, Correlations, and Questions: Examining the Impact of the Accountability Regime on Early Childhood Introduction The Sources of Standards National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Next Generation Science Standards National Council for the Social Studies English/Language Arts National Association for the Education of Young Children State-level Early Learning Standards Summary Early Childhood Curriculum Packages Conclusion Notes References 4. From Theory to Curriculum: Developmental Theory and Its Relationship to Curriculum and Instruction in Early Childhood Education Developmentally Appropriate Thinking Distinguishing the What from the How in Early Childhood Education Developmental Theory and Early Childhood Curriculum and Instruction Math and Science Learning Conclusions References 5. The Curriculum Theory Lens on Early Childhood: Moving Thought into Action Curriculum, Curriculum Studies, and Curriculum Theory – A Brief and Selective Overview The Technocratic View The Dawns of Change Early Childhood Participates “How Do We Actually Do This?” (Or, How Does Curriculum Theory Move Us into “What Next?”) Looking to Existing Curricula Seeking Democracy while Addressing Tensions References 6. Engaging with Critical Theories and the Early Childhood Curriculum Introduction Review of Critical Theorizing and Early Childhood Curriculum Post-structuralism Troubling Gender Troubling (Hetero)Sexuality Troubling “Race” and Ethnicity Moving from Critique toward Reconstruction and Transformation Troubling Western Logic The Importance of Critical Theories to the Early Childhood Curriculum References 7. Infant-Toddler Curriculum: Reconsider, Refresh, and Reinforce Introduction Review of Recent Research (2012–Present) on Infant-Toddler Curriculum Updates for Three Major Infant-Toddler Curricula Final Thoughts and Recommendations for Moving Forward References 8. Unpacking the Tensions in Open-ended Preschool Curriculum: Teacher Agency, Standardization, and English Learners in Creative Curriculum and High/Scope Introduction Early Childhood Curriculum as Policy Historical Development and Description High/Scope Creative Curriculum Implications and Opportunities Conclusion References 9. Re-examining Play in the Early Childhood Curriculum Introduction Play and Learning Challenges to Play Accountability and Play Teacher Attitudes Parent Attitudes Children’s Considerations Adults Setting the Stage for Play Media and Technology in Play Alternative Places for Play Conclusion References 10. A Story about Story: The Promise of Multilingual Children and Teachers and a Framework for Integrated Curriculum What Is Integrated Curriculum? Carrying Our Roots: A Third Space through Integrated Curriculum Contexts and Stories Family History and Theoretical Musings To Matters of Concern Implications and Final Thoughts Note References 11. Changing the Discourse: The Capability Approach and Early Childhood Education The Capability Approach CA and Education CA and Early Childhood Education Changing the Discourse in ECE Summary References 12. Countering the Essentialized Discourse of Curriculum: Opening Spaces for Complicated Conversations What Has Curriculum Become? 1 What Educational Purposes Should the School Seek to Attain? 2 What Educational Experiences Can Be Provided That Are Likely to Attain These Purposes? 3 How Can These Educational Experiences Be Effectively Organized? 4 How Can We Determine Whether These Purposes Are Being Attained? Gazing toward the Horizon: Re-understanding Curriculum Possibilities What Does a Curriculum of Possibilities Look Like? Summary References 13. A Vision of Early Childhood Curriculum Built on Strong Foundations Introduction Current Early Childhood Context Investment and Early Childhood Contexts Readiness in the Early Years Envisioning the Pasts/Currents/Futures of Early Childhood Curriculum Marrying Responsiveness with Content Ways to Support and Advocate for Rich EC Practice Conclusion Note References 14. Reclaiming and Rediscovering in Early Childhood Curriculum: Possibility and Promise References Contributor Biographies Index Curriculum and research : what are the gaps we ought to mind, redux / Nancy File -- Public policy and early childhood curriculum in the united states / Christopher P. Brown & David P. Barry -- Standards, correlations, and questions : examining the impact of the accountability regime on early childhood curriculum / Jennifer J. Mueller & Nancy File -- From theory to curriculum : developmental theory and its relationship to curriculum and instruction in early childhood education / J. Amos Hatch -- The curriculum theory lens on early childhood : moving thought into action / Jennifer J. Mueller & Kristin L. Whyte -- Engaging with critical theories and the early childhood curriculum / Mindy Blaise & Sharon Ryan -- Infant toddler curriculum : reconsider, refresh, and reinforce / Diane M. Horm, Kyong-Ah Kwon, & Deborah E. Laurin -- Unpacking the tensions in open-ended preschool curriculum : teacher agency, standardization and English learners in creative curriculum and high/scope / Sara Michael-Luna, Lucinda G. Heimer & Leslee Grey -- Re-examining play in the early childhood curriculum / John A. Sutterby & Deepti Kharod -- A story about story : the promise of multilingual children and teachers and a framework for integrated curriculum / Elizabeth P. Quintero -- Changing the discourse : the capability approach and early childhood education / Cary A. Buzzelli -- Countering the essentialized discourse of curriculum : opening spaces for complicated conversations / Andrew J. Stremmel, James P. Burns, Christine Nganga & Katherine Bertolini -- A vision of early childhood curriculum built on strong foundations / Katherine K. Delaney, Kristin L. Whyte, & M. Elizabeth Graue -- Reclaiming and rediscovering in early childhood curriculum : possibility and promise / Nancy File & Jennifer J. Mueller "Curriculum in Early Childhood Education: Re-examined, Reclaimed, Renewed critically and thoroughly examines key questions, aims, and approaches in early childhood curricula. Designed to provide a theoretical and philosophical foundation for examining teaching and learning in the early years, this fully updated and timely second edition provokes discussion and analysis among all readers. What influences operate (both historically and currently) to impact what happens in young children's classrooms? Whose perspectives are dominant and whose are ignored? What values are explicit and implicit? Each chapter gives readers a starting point for re-examining key topics, encourages a rich exchange of ideas in the university classroom, and provides a valuable resource for professionals. This second edition has been fully revised to reflect the current complexities and tensions inherent in curricular decision-making and features attention to policy, standardization, play, and diversity, providing readers with historical context, current theories, and new perspectives for the field. Curriculum in Early Childhood Education is essential reading for those seeking to examine curriculum in early childhood and develop a stronger understanding of how theories and philosophies intersect with the issues that accompany the creation and implementation of learning experiences."-- Provided by publisher