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

Curriculum in Early Childhood Education: Reexamined, Rediscovered, Renewed provides a critical examination of the sources, aims, and features of early childhood curricula. Providing a theoretical and philosophical foundation for examining teaching and learning, this book will provoke discussion and analysis among all readers. How has theory been used to understand, develop, and critique curriculum? Whose perspectives are dominant and whose are ignored? How is diversity addressed? What values are explicit and implicit?

The book first contextualizes the historical and research base of early childhood curriculum, and then turns to discussions of various schools of theory and philosophy that have served to support curriculum development in early childhood education. An examination of current curriculum frameworks is offered, both from the US and abroad, including discussion of the Project Approach, Creative Curriculum, Te Whariki, and Reggio Emilia. Finally, the book closes with chapters that enlarge the topic to curriculum-being-enacted through play and that summarize key issues while pointing out future directions for 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.

Preface

I. Introduction

1. "Silent Voices of Knowing" in the History of Early Childhood Education and Curriculum, Debora Basler Wisneski

2. Curriculum and Research: What Are the Gaps We Ought to Mind? Nancy File

II. Influences on Curriculum

3. The Relationship between Child Development and Early Childhood Curriculum, Nancy File

4. From Theory to Curriculum: Developmental Theory and Its Relationship to Curriculum and Instruction in Early Childhood Education, J. Amos Hatch

5. The Curriculum Theory Lens on Early Childhood: Moving Thought into Action, Jennifer J. Mueller

6. From Theory to Curriculum: The Project Approach, Judy Harris Helm

7. Using Critical Theory to Trouble the Early Childhood Curriculum: Is It Enough? Mindy Blaise and Sharon Ryan

8. Using Critical Theories in the Curriculum, Betsy J. Cahill and Tammy L. Gibson

III. Examining Curriculum Approaches and Their Applications

9. Infant Toddler Curriculum: Review, Reflection, and Revolution, Diane M. Horm, Carla B. Goble, and Kathryn R. Branscomb

10. Creative Curriculum and High Scope Curriculum: Constructing Possibilities in Early Education, Sara Michael-Luna and Lucinda G. Heimer

11. Te Whariki – The Early Childhood Curriculum of Aotearoa New Zealand, Jenny R. Ritchie and Cary A. Buzzelli

12. A Situated Framework: The Reggio Experience, Andrew J. Stremmel

13. Publishers in the Mix: Examining Literacy Curricula, Mariana Souto-Manning

IV. Conclusion

14. The Place of Play in Early Childhood Curriculum, Debora Basler Wisneski and Stuart Reifel

15. Early Childhood Curriculum as Palimpsest, Katherine Delaney and Elizabeth Graue

16. Strengthening Curriculum in Early Childhood, Nancy File, Debora Basler Wisneski, and Jennifer J. Mueller

List of Contributors

Nancy File is Associate Professor in Early Childhood Education at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Jennifer J. Mueller is Associate Professor in Early Childhood Education at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Debora Basler Wisneski is Associate Professor in Early Childhood Education at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.