Preschool Frameworks

The Introduction to the Preschool Frameworks states that children can make choices and explore around them by having positive experiences with their teachers, peers, family members and others. Then, this will help them to build confidence, skills, knowledge and experience. Children’s environment should be appropriate for their age level in terms of materials, furniture and also it will promote learning activities. Preschool programs offer opportunities to help and support children whose English is their second language and children with disabilities or other special needs. The foundations and curriculum framework states that all children have access to learning opportunities in preschool particularly children with disabilities or other special
needs. It also says eight principles that will help children in their learning experiences and environments successfully. First, relationships with others are essential to children’s learning. Teachers must have a positive and strong relationships with children and as well with their parents. The text mentions that the play is an important context for learning where they make their own choices, interact with others, learn their skills and capabilities and also to know themselves. Through learning, children use all their senses to explore and to understand things around them. One of the eight principles is the intentional teaching. The article shows that the intentional teacher should be supportive and flexible to reach children’s goals.
Partnership between parents and teachers should be strong where they exchange ideas on how they support children’s learning at home and at school successfully according to the text. It says that the classroom environment should include all the children. In addition, the article demonstrates that culture and language should be acknowledged in the preschool setting to support children’s learning. Another eight principle is where curriculum planning requires the teachers to reflect and plan strategies effectively. Moreover, the article states some four domains which are Social-emotional development, language and literacy, English-language development, Mathematics. All of these domains are presented in an integrated manner and it promote learning opportunities. The article shows that those children who are learning English as their second language needs support and attention of the entire curriculum. It adds that the key to support these children is to plan some learning activities and environments based on their interests, needs, strengths and as well as their cultural background. Universal Design for learning means that children have different ways to learn
subjects. It provides for multiple means of representation, engagement, and expression. According to the text, as teachers plan curriculum, the teachers should create environments that consists of the interest areas of the children. Interest areas include dramatic play area, block area, art area, book area, writing area, math area, science area, family display area. In terms of the daily schedule, the article states that children should have enough time to play because this is where they explore and try different things. During teacher guided activities, the article says that working in small groups is better than in large groups in terms of meeting children’s needs and scaffold children’s thinking. The first essential part of the curriculum planning is observe, reflect, and record children’s actions as the text mentions. Once the teachers gather evidence of children’s play, they reflect, discuss and plan on how to support and help children’s continuing learning. After they plan it, teachers will execute it and the curriculum planning starts again.