The Early Childhood Academy

The Education Experience. 

Curriculum Models 

OBSERVE. EXPLORE. INVESTIGATE.

The Emergent Curriculum 

emphasizes the importance of...

• the environment and views it as a  "third teacher,” inviting children to explore while fostering creativity and promoting wonder.  
• hands-on learning opportunities for children.
• process vs. product learning activities for children. 
• child-directed learning and emergent based inquiry. 
• educators facilitating learning opportunities based on children’s interests, skill level and needs.
• observation, documentation and interpretation as essential tools for educators to plan and develop learning experiences that are meaningful to children. 

The Reggio Emilia Approach 

emphasizes the importance of...

• valuing children as strong, capable and resilient.
• building strong and healthy relationships with children, families, and the community.
  
• child-centred learning and  project based inquiry. 
• a child's natural environment, as a  "third teacher." When children are given the opportunity to explore the environment they are able to learn, investigate and question the world around them. 
• providing children with realistic and meaningful learning opportunities. 
• educators understanding the documentation process as a cycle of inquiry.
• documenting  children’s learning.
• understanding children as communicators.