TCHR2003: Curriculum Studies in Early Childhood Education
Assessment Task 1: Critical review
Due: Saturday 29/07/2023 (Week 4, Term 3) @ 11:59pm AEST
Length: 1500 words
Weighting: 50%
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Submission: Via the Turnitin link on the Assessment and Submission section on the unit site.
Write a critical response to the following three points to demonstrate a good working knowledge of
EC curriculum framework.
1. Define what curriculum is in early childhood education? Provide a rationale for your statement
using unit content reference support.
2. Discuss how children learn the curriculum by playing in early childhood education? Justify using
theoretical, NQS and EYLF references. Provide examples to support your points.
3. Observe the teacher and children’s interactions and activity on the video on the Blackboard site.
a) Identify what EYLF Learning Outcomes the children are learning (AGDE, 2022)? Write My Essay | Papers Writing Service Online by Essay Hub Experts- Describe
examples of what you see that demonstrates the Learning Outcomes?
b) Discuss the EYLF Practices and Principles, & NQS Quality Areas the educator is using to
promote children’s learning?
c) What 3 Learning Areas (Australian Curriculum) could this experience be covering? Give at
least one example of what you see to support each of your chosen Areas?
Rationale
As an Early Childhood educator, it is important that you have a good working knowledge of
Early Childhood curriculum framework and be able to justify how educators use play to plan
and implement curriculum for children in early childhood settings.
Assessment Rubric – Buy Custom College Essays Online: Pay for essay online
MARKING CRITERIA Fail Pass Credit Distinction High Distinction
Definition and rationale of
curriculum in early childhood
education for children aged
birth to five years
The student’s performance, in addition to satisfying all of the basic learning requirements, demonstrates distinctive insight and ability in researching, analysing and applying
relevant skills and concepts, and shows exceptional ability to synthesise, integrate and evaluate knowledge. The student’s performance could be described as outstanding in
relation to the learning requirements specified.
Distinction (D)
75%–84%
The student’s performance, in addition to satisfying all of the basic learning requirements, demonstrates distinctive insight and ability in researching, analysing and applying
relevant skills and concepts, and shows a well-developed ability to synthesise, integrate and evaluate knowledge. The student’s performance could be described as distinguished
about the learning requirements specified.
Credit (C)
65%–74%
The student’s performance, in addition to satisfying all of the basic learning requirements specified, demonstrates insight and ability in researching, analysing and applying
relevant skills and concepts. The student’s performance could be described as better than satisfactory or adequate or competent or capable about the learning requirements
specified.
Pass (P)
50%–64%
The student’s performance satisfies all of the basic learning requirements specified and provides a sound basis for proceeding to higher-level studies in the subject area. The
student’s performance could be described as satisfactory or adequate or competent about the learning requirements specified.
Fail (F)
< 50%
The student’s performance fails to satisfy the learning requirements specified.
+++++
Answer Writing Guide
Early childhood education lays the foundation for a child’s future learning and development. The curriculum framework in this critical stage plays a pivotal role in shaping young minds through meaningful learning experiences. Play emerges as a central mechanism through which children engage with the world around them, fostering cognitive, physical, social, emotional, and creative growth (Pyle and Danniels, 2017).
The curriculum in early childhood education encompasses a comprehensive range of planned and spontaneous experiences that contribute to a child’s holistic development (Bredekamp, 2015). It transcends academic content and embraces the entirety of activities, interactions, and environments that a child encounters between birth and five years of age. The curriculum framework recognizes the unique needs, interests, and abilities of young learners, tailoring learning experiences to foster their optimal development across various domains (Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority [ACECQA], 2018).
Early childhood represents a critical window for brain development and establishing the foundations for lifelong learning (Rushton and Larkin, 2018). Play serves as a natural and effective medium for children to explore, experiment, and make sense of their surroundings. Through play, children develop essential skills such as problem-solving, creativity, self-regulation, and social competence, aligning with the principles of the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) established by the Australian Government (Department of Education, Skills and Employment [DESE], 2022).
Renowned theorists, including Piaget, Vygotsky, and Froebel, have emphasized the pivotal role of play in early childhood education. Piaget’s theory of cognitive development highlights the importance of active exploration and hands-on experiences for children to construct their understanding of the world (Mooney, 2013). Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory emphasizes the significance of social interactions and cultural contexts in shaping cognitive development, where play serves as a powerful tool for enhancing language, problem-solving, and self-regulation skills (Bodrova and Leong, 2015). Froebel’s educational philosophy underscores the value of play as a means for children to express their creativity, foster curiosity, and develop a love for learning (Bruce, 2015).
The EYLF recognizes play-based learning as a fundamental approach to supporting children’s learning and development (DESE, 2022). Through engaging in play, children actively explore, experiment, and interact with their environment, fostering a range of skills and knowledge. For instance, when children construct structures with building blocks, they enhance spatial awareness, fine motor skills, and mathematical concepts such as shapes and sizes. Pretend play promotes language development, social skills, and emotional understanding as children take on various roles and collaborate with peers (ACECQA, 2018; Pyle and Danniels, 2017).
a) Identifying EYLF Learning Outcomes:
In the observed video, children engage in activities such as constructing with blocks, imaginative play with dolls and toy vehicles, and group storytelling. These experiences align with several EYLF Learning course hero Outcomes, including:
Outcome 4: Children develop a strong sense of wellbeing, demonstrated through their emotional expression and sense of belonging within the learning environment (DESE, 2022).
Outcome 5: Children are effective communicators, as evidenced by their communication of ideas, feelings, and experiences during the storytelling session, enhancing language and literacy skills (DESE, 2022).
b) EYLF Practices, Principles, and NQS Quality Areas:
The educator in the video demonstrates several EYLF practices and principles to promote children’s learning, such as:
Responsive and Respectful Relationships: Engaging in meaningful interactions with children, respecting their ideas and interests, fostering a positive learning environment (DESE, 2022).
Holistic Approaches: Catering to children’s diverse needs by encompassing various domains of development, such as cognitive, emotional, and social (DESE, 2022).
Reflective Practice: Regularly observing and assessing children’s progress, adapting teaching strategies to meet individual learning needs (ACECQA, 2018).
These practices align with the National Quality Standard (NQS) Quality Areas 1, 5, and 6, focusing on educational program and practice, relationships with children, and collaborative partnerships with families and communities (ACECQA, 2018).
c) Identifying Learning Areas from the Australian Curriculum:
The observed experience covers multiple Learning Areas from the Australian Curriculum, including:
English: The storytelling session exposes children to language-rich experiences, developing oral language, listening, and comprehension skills (Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority [ACARA], 2022).
Mathematics: The block construction activity involves concepts of shape, size, and spatial awareness, promoting mathematical thinking and problem-solving (ACARA, 2022).
Creative Arts: Imaginative play with dolls and toy vehicles fosters creativity, self-expression, and aesthetic appreciation (ACARA, 2022).
In conclusion, the early childhood curriculum framework emphasizes the significance of play-based learning for children aged birth to five years. Integrating play into early childhood education aligns with theoretical perspectives and the EYLF, fostering holistic development and establishing a strong foundation for lifelong learning.
Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA). (2018). Guide to the National Quality Framework. Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment.
Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA). (2022). The Australian Curriculum. Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment.
Bodrova, E., & Leong, D. J. (2015). Vygotskian and post-Vygotskian views on children’s play. American Journal of Play, 7(3), 371-388.
Bredekamp, S. (2015). Effective practices in early childhood education: Building a foundation. Pearson.
Bruce, T. (2015). Friedrich Froebel’s pedagogical model: A rationale for the 21st century. Early Child Development and Care, 185(8), 1325-1337.
Department of Education, Skills and Employment (DESE). (2022). Belonging, Being and Becoming: The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia. Australian Government.
Mooney, C. G. (2013). Theories of childhood: An introduction to Dewey, Montessori, Erikson, Piaget, and Vygotsky (2nd ed.). Redleaf Press.
Pyle, A., & Danniels, E. (2017). A Continuum of Play-Based Learning: The Role of the Teacher in Play-Based Pedagogy and the Fear of Hijacking Play. Early Education and Development, 28(3), 274-289.
Rushton, S., & Larkin, E. (2018). Shaping the learning environment: Connecting developmentally appropriate practices to brain science. Early Childhood Education Journal, 46(2), 197-207.
___________________________
Curriculum Framework in Early Childhood Education: Integrating Play and Learning
Introduction
Early Childhood Education (ECE) plays a vital role in shaping a child’s development during their formative years. To create meaningful learning experiences, educators must possess a sound understanding of the Early Childhood curriculum framework. This critical review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the curriculum framework, exploring how children learn through play and its integration into early childhood education. Additionally, a video observation on the Blackboard site will be discussed, identifying learning outcomes, EYLF practices and principles, NQS quality areas, and relevant learning areas from the Australian Curriculum. The review will draw support from scholarly and peer-reviewed sources, such as the Australian Government Department of Education (AGDE), Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA), and the Australian Curriculum, Assessment, and Reporting Authority (ACARA).
Defining Curriculum in Early Childhood Education
Curriculum in Early Childhood Education encompasses all planned and unplanned experiences that contribute to a child’s learning and development. It is not limited to academic content but includes the entire spectrum of activities, interactions, and environment in which a child engages. The curriculum in ECE takes into account the unique needs, interests, and abilities of children aged birth to five years, fostering holistic development across cognitive, physical, social, emotional, and creative domains (ACECQA, 2018).
The rationale behind this definition lies in the belief that early childhood is a crucial period for laying the foundation of lifelong learning. Research indicates that a child’s brain undergoes significant growth and development during these early years, making them highly receptive to learning experiences. The curriculum framework in ECE is designed to provide developmentally appropriate and meaningful activities that promote curiosity, exploration, and discovery, facilitating optimal learning and skill development (AGDE, 2022).
Integrating Play into Early Childhood Education
Play serves as a central mechanism through which young children learn and make sense of the world around them. The integration of play into early childhood education aligns with both the Theoretical framework and the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) established by the Australian Government. The Theoretical framework recognizes play as a fundamental aspect of a child’s development, fostering creativity, problem-solving, and self-regulation (AGDE, 2022).
According to the EYLF, play-based learning is critical in supporting children’s learning and development. Through play, children engage in active exploration, experimentation, and social interactions, developing foundational skills and knowledge. For instance, when children play with building blocks, they enhance their spatial awareness, fine motor skills, and mathematical concepts such as shapes and sizes. Furthermore, pretend play promotes language development, social skills, and emotional understanding, as children take on various roles and collaborate with peers (AGDE, 2022; ACECQA, 2018).
Critical Review of Video Observation
a) Identifying EYLF Learning Outcomes
In the video, children are observed engaging in a variety of activities, such as constructing structures with blocks, engaging in imaginative play with dolls and toy vehicles, and participating in a group storytelling session. These activities align with several EYLF Learning Outcomes, including:
Outcome 4: Children develop a strong sense of wellbeing (AGDE, 2022). The children’s involvement in imaginative play and storytelling showcases their emotional expression and sense of belonging within the learning environment.
Outcome 5: Children are effective communicators (AGDE, 2022). The storytelling session encourages children to communicate ideas, feelings, and experiences, enhancing their language and literacy skills.
b) EYLF Practices, Principles, & NQS Quality Areas
The educator in the video demonstrates several EYLF practices and principles to promote children’s learning. Some notable practices include:
Responsive and Respectful Relationships: The educator engages in meaningful interactions with children, respecting their ideas and interests, fostering a positive learning environment (AGDE, 2022).
Holistic Approaches: The learning experiences cater to children’s diverse needs, encompassing various domains of development, such as cognitive, emotional, and social (AGDE, 2022).
Reflective Practice: The educator regularly observes and assesses children’s progress, adapting teaching strategies to meet individual learning needs (ACECQA, 2018).
These practices align with the National Quality Standard (NQS) Quality Areas 1, 5, and 6, focusing on educational program and practice, relationships with children, and collaborative partnerships with families and communities (ACECQA, 2018).
c) Identifying Learning Areas from the Australian Curriculum
The experience observed in the video covers multiple Learning Areas from the Australian Curriculum. Specifically, it encompasses:
English: During the storytelling session, children are exposed to language-rich experiences, developing their oral language, listening, and comprehension skills (ACARA, 2022).
Mathematics: The block construction activity involves concepts of shape, size, and spatial awareness, promoting mathematical thinking and problem-solving (ACARA, 2022).
Creative Arts: Imaginative play with dolls and toy vehicles fosters creativity, self-expression, and aesthetic appreciation (ACARA, 2022).
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Early Childhood curriculum framework emphasizes the significance of play-based learning for children aged birth to five years. Integrating play into early childhood education aligns with the Theoretical framework and EYLF, fostering holistic development and laying the foundation for lifelong learning. The critical review of the video observation highlights the alignment with EYLF Learning Outcomes, practices, and principles, as well as NQS Quality Areas. Furthermore, the experience observed in the video covers various Learning Areas from the Australian Curriculum, emphasizing the multifaceted nature of early childhood education.
References:
Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA). (2018). Write My Essay Today: No1 Essay Writing Service AU for Your Academic Papers – Guide to the National Quality Framework. ACECQA.
Australian Government Department of Education (AGDE). (2022). Belonging, Being and Becoming: The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia. AGDE.
Australian Curriculum, Assessment, and Reporting Authority (ACARA). (2022). The Australian Curriculum. ACARA.
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