PRESCHOOL
KINDERGARDEN
CURRICULUM
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION (ECE)
FREE PRESCHOOL CURRICULUM
FIVE AREAS OF CHILD DEVELOPMENT
THE SPICES WHEEL
PRESCHOOL CURRICULUM LINKS
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SECTION 1
EARLY
CHILDHOOD
EDUCATION
(ECE)
Early childhood education (ECE) is a branch of education theory
which relates to the teaching of young children (formally and
informally) up until the age of about eight.
Infant/toddler education, a subset of early childhood education,
denotes the education of children from birth to age two. In recent
years, early childhood education has become a prevalent public
policy issue, as municipal, state, and federal lawmakers consider
funding for preschool and pre-k.
Learning Through Play
Early childhood education often focuses on learning through play,
based on the research and philosophy of Jean Piaget, which posits
that play meets the physical, intellectual, language, emotional
and social needs (PILES) of children. Children's natural curiosity
and imagination naturally evoke learning when unfettered. Thus,
children learn more efficiently and gain more knowledge through
activities such as dramatic play, art, and social games.
Early childhood education (ECE)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_childhood_education
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SECTION 2
FREE
PRESCHOOL
CURRICULUM
Preschool is a time of rapid growth and development. While the
preschool curriculum is designed keeping in mind the physical
and intellectual developmental characteristics of 2 – 5 year
olds, there are certain milestones that most preschoolers
should achieve before they begin kindergarten.
What Preschoolers Should Learn
From reading and art to math and science, preschoolers learn
something about everything. While drafting the curriculum for
preschoolers, homeschooling parents and teachers should keep
in mind the broad framework set and followed by most preschools
across the country.
Free Preschool Curriculum
http://www.jumpstart.com/teachers/curriculum/grade-based/preschool-curriculum
SECTION 3
FIVE
AREAS
OF
CHILD
DEVELOPMENT
There are five areas of child development: physical, social and
emotional, approaches to learning, thinking, and communication
and language.
Five areas of child development
1. Physical Health, Well-Being, and Movement Skills
These activities are designed to help develop your child’s
large and small muscle control, her coordination, and her
overall physical fitness.
2. Social and Emotional Development
Activities in this area target your child’s ability to make
and keep social relationships, both with adults and with
other children. He will learn to recognize and express his
own feelings more effectively. He will gain experience
understanding and responding to the emotions of others.
3. Approaches to Learning
Children differ in how they approach new tasks, difficult
problems, or challenges. These activities will spark your
child’s curiosity, interest, and attention and the ability
to stay on task. Research suggests strong links between
positive approaches to learning and success in school.
4. Thinking Abilities and General Knowledge
The suggestions in this area help your child figure out how
the world works and how things are organized.
Your child will experience “learning how to learn,”
improving problem-solving ability and abstract
thinking.
5. Communication, Language and Literacy
These activities will help your child learn to express himself
and to understand what others say. Early reading and writing
skills are also targeted.
Five Areas of Child Development
http://www.bestbeginningsalaska.org/activities-resources/child-development-areas
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SECTION 4
THE
SPICES
WHEEL
In my SPICE I included the area of Creativity. I wanted this to be
an important part of the skill development. I wanted children to be
good at creative thinking as well as creative expression.
S: social.
I want children to have good social skills, to be able to resolve
conflicts, to be empathetic and respectful. I want them to be able
to function in our society in a healthy, happy, and productive
manner. I want them to be able to challenge the social norms in a
respectful manner. (etc)
P: physical.
I want children to know how their muscles work, to know their
limitations, and to use their muscles to their fullest. I want
them to be able to be as mobile as possible, to be able to sit
still, and to write with a pencil.
I: intellectual.
I want children to be able to think. I want them to question,
to be curious, and to analyze and compare. I want children to
develop a complex vocabulary that they can use to express
themselves, to tell stories, and to learn from others. I want
them able to calculate math, to record and read the written
language; I want them to understand nature and all its
intricacies.
C: creativity.
I want children to be “outside the box thinkers”. I want them
to be able to brainstorm new ideas and solutions to problems.
I want them to be creative in their creations, whether that is
with painting a picture or building a fort.
E: emotional.
I want them to be emotionally healthy and emotionally aware.
I want them to be empathetic, self-aware, self-confident,
assertive, and resilient. I want them to be able to cope with
challenges, to be determined in achieving goals and overcoming
barriers; I want them to be self-disciplined and motivated. I
want them to feel “whole”, to have a balanced and fulfilling
life.
S: spiritual.
I want children to know right from wrong, to choose right over
wrong even if they “want” to do the wrong. I want them to be
aware of their place in the bigger picture. I want them to
respect and treat all things as Sacred. I want them to be in
awe of all things, inspired by all things, and open to learning
from all things. I want them to know that they have a personal
gift/talent and perspective of the world and that this contributes
to the greater good and shouldn’t be hidden. I want them to know
that all that they do should add to the greater good, that they
should contribute rather than take. I want them to discover who
they are and what their purpose is.
The “SPICES” Wheel
http://todayschild.wordpress.com/2012/10/05/the-spices-wheel/
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SECTION 5
PRESCHOOL
KINDERGARDEN
CURRICULUM
LINKS
5 main areas of childrens development
http://www.markedbyteachers.com/gcse/health-and-social-care/explain-the-5-main-areas-of-childrens-development.html
The ABC's Of Child Development
http://www.pbs.org/wholechild/abc/index.html
ABC Jesus Loves Me
http://www.abcjesuslovesme.com/
Communication preschool lesson plans
http://www.123child.com/lessonplans/other/communication.php
Daycare Worksheets
http://www.daycareworksheets.com/
Early Childhood Care and Education UNESCO
http://www.unesco.org/en/early-childhood/
Early Childhood Education
http://www.nea.org/home/18163.htm
Early Childhood Education
http://www.kidsworldfun.com/blog/early-childhood-education/
edhelper.com
http://www.edhelper.com/
Facts About Child Development
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/childdevelopment/facts.html
First-School Preschool Activities and Crafts
http://first-school.ws/
Free Preschool Curriculum
http://www.free-preschool-activities.com/preschool-curriculum.html
Free Preschool Curriculum
http://www.jumpstart.com/teachers/curriculum/grade-based/preschool-curriculum
Free Preschool Curriculum for Homeschool or Preparation for School
http://www.freelyeducate.com/2011/05/free-preschool-curriculum-letter-of-the-week.html
Free Preschool Printables
http://www.funlessonplans.com/preschool_lesson_plans/free.htm
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Free preschool printables
http://www.preschoolpalace.org/
Free Preschool Printables
http://www.funlessonplans.com/preschool_lesson_plans/free.htm
Free Preschool Printable Themes
http://www.preschoolmom.com/
Free Preschool Worksheets
http://www.tlsbooks.com/preschoolworksheets.htm
Free Printable Preschool Worksheets
http://www.shirleys-preschool-activities.com/free-printable-preschool-worksheets.html
Free Printable Worksheets
http://www.preschoollearners.com/freeWorksheets.htm
Heckman Equation for Investing in Early Human Development
http://heckmanequation.org
KidSparkz Preschool Resources
http://www.kidsparkz.com/index.html
Kindergarten Worksheets
http://www.worksheetfun.com/kindergarten-worksheets/
Kindergarten Worksheets and Printables
http://www.education.com/worksheets/kindergarten/
Lesson Plans for Preschool
http://www.preschools4all.com/lesson-plans-for-preschool.html
National Institute for Early Education Research
http://nieer.org/
Preschool Activities & Ideas for Teachers, Parents and Grandparents
http://www.preschoolexpress.com/
Preschool Curriculum
http://www.abchomepreschool.com/
Preschool Curriculum
http://www.adaycare.com/themes.html
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Preschool & Kindergarten Worksheets
http://www.k5learning.com/free-preschool-kindergarten-worksheets
Preschool Lesson Plans
http://www.toddler-activities-and-tips.com/preschool-lesson-plans.html
Preschool Lesson Plans
http://www.scholastic.com/premium/preschoollessonplans.html
Preschool skills checklist
http://www.leapfrog.com/en-us/learning-path/articles/preschool-skills-checklist.html
Preschool Themes
http://www.everythingpreschool.com/themes/index.htm
Preschool Themes and Lesson Plans
http://www.first-school.ws/themes.html
Preschool Worksheets
http://www.worksheetfun.com/preschool-worksheets/
Preschool Worksheets
http://www.easy-preschool-activities.com/preschool-worksheets.html
Preschool Worksheets
http://www.worksheetuniverse.com/preschoolworksheets.html
Printable Preschool and Kindergarten Worksheets
http://www.kidslearningstation.com/
Printable Preschool Worksheets
http://www.freeprintable.com/free-printable-preschool-worksheets
Sandbox Learning
http://www.sandbox-learning.com/
Ultimate List of Free Preschool Curriculum Resources
http://teachbesideme.com/ultimate-list-of-free-preschool-curriculum-resources/
What is child development?
http://www.howkidsdevelop.com/developSkills.html
What to Know about Teaching Reading in the Classroom
https://praxisexam.org/teaching-reading-in-the-classroom/#0692
World Organization for Early Childhood Education (OMEP)
http://www.worldomep.org/
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Difference Between
http://www.differencebetween.info/
Education.com
http://www.education.com/
Academic Educational Encyclopedia
Free Online educational encyclopedia
http://academickids.com/
Nick Jr.
http://www.nickjr.com/
Highlights Kids.com
http://www.highlightskids.com/
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