EDCI 62402 Integrated Curriculum, Methods, and Strategies for Preschool and Kindergarten

This course informs candidates of the importance of play-based approaches to curriculum for preschool and kindergarten children.  The importance of process-oriented learning is emphasized and the role of a teacher is conceptualized as a curator of space and materials that invite a sense of wonder, curiosity, and investigation.  Acknowledging and valuing children's play as meaningful and productive, supporting interactions that empower children to pursue their quest, and ways to "listen" to children thinking and learning through play form the framework for guiding candidates to discuss, examine, and reflect on preschool and Kindergarten children's way of knowing, understanding, and interpreting the world around them. Candidates learn to plan developmentally appropriate, meaningful learning experiences based on state standards and early learning goals with an understanding of how content areas such as language & literacy, numeracy, scientific reasoning, visual and expressive arts, and physical motor activity are integrated in order to facilitate and support the development of the "whole child" in preschool and kindergarten.  Environmental organization and design, along with teaching methods and interactive strategies that encourage and nurture active exploration and curiosity, are emphasized.  Prerequisite:  EDCI 62231.  Corequisites:  EDCI 62232, EDCI 62305, EDCI 62403, EDCI 62404, EDCI 62405, EDCI 62421, and EDCI 62532.

Credits

3