What is an early years curriculum?

For 10% off our conference tickets visit: www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/early-years-conference-2024/.

If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like:

Jan Dubiel's episode on: It's not really about dinosaurs - www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/early-years-curriculum

On this episode Angelica talks to Ruth Swailes, Early Years Advisor and Curriculum Developer, and Jan Dubiel, Early Years Advisor with a specialism in pedagogy, assessment and curriculum development.

The idea of a curriculum in early years is still an uncomfortable one for many early years practitioners. In this episode, Jan Dubiel and Ruth Swailes unpick what an early years curriculum is, what considerations go into the construction of an early years curriculum, the recording and updating of it, and the challenges which exist in practice and around the concept of curricula.

Episode breakdown:

01:30 - The notion of a curriculum being scary and an intimidating term
03:49 - The difference between curriculum and pedagogy
04:45 - What we want children to learn vs what children learn
06:49 - Curriculum from an early years lens
09:55 - Is 'the child' the curriculum? Is child development part of curricula?
14:30 - The role of dispositions and attitudes, and learning behaviours
18:20 - Coverage and depth of curriculum - deep level and surface level learning
19:30 - Development Matters is not a curriculum
22:30 - Educators' ownership of the curriculum
23:20 - The need for training and experience in implementing curricula
25:00 - Constructing your curriculum is a valuable process
29:28 - Does the curriculum need to be fluid or is it about flexible pedagogy?
40:00 - Curriculum sequencing and recording
40:25 - The curriculum hasn't met your children - you have
44:45 - Educator autonomy, confidence and knowledge
46:12 - Wellbeing at the heart of curricula
48:25 - Assertiveness for educators: Advocating for early years

Find out more on The Voice of Early Childhood website: www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com