Curriculum in Early Childhood Education: Re-examined, Rediscovered, Renewed

Curriculum in Early Childhood Educationpresents a critical examination of the sources, aims, and features of early childhood curricula. Providing a theoretical and philosophical foundation for examining curriculum, this book provokes discussion and analysis. Where are the consistencies and inconsistencies between theory and curriculum? Whose perspectives are dominant and whose are ignored? How is diversity addressed? What values are explicit and implicit? First contextualizing the historical and research base of early childhood curriculum, the book then turns to discussion of various schools of theory that have served to support curriculum development in early childhood education, touching on exemplary approaches such as the Project Approach. Next, the chapters offer a critical examination of current curriculum frameworks, both from the United States and abroad, including discussion of the Creative Curriculum, and Reggio Emilia. Finally, the book closes with chapters that summarize key concepts while pointing out future directions for curriculum development within the field. Offering a broad foundation for examining curriculum in early childhood, readers will emerge with a stronger understanding of how theories and philosophies intersect with curriculum development.