Five Key Questions
As we proceed in our exploration of early childhood curriculum, five key questions provide the organizing elements for the twelve chapters in this text. Together, they represent a coherent philosophy of education and a practical framework for reflection:
- What is the purpose of curriculum? (Chapters 1 and 2)
- What are children like and how do they learn? (Chapters 3 and 4)
- What is my role as a teacher? (Chapters 5 and 6)
- What do children need and want to know and learn about? (Chapters 7 through 11)
- How should curriculum be implemented? (Chapters 7 through 12)
If you begin to think about these questions now and revisit them regularly, you will establish habits of mind that will serve you well and help you make sense of triumphs and challenges you encounter.