Early Childhood Curriculum: Infant Curriculum

The Early Childhood Curriculum book consists of sequential developmental skills

and activities. Each age group (0-6 months) and (6-12 months) contains a theme

with different activities for the infant, and the units follow these themes. This

curriculum is arranged and organized to ensure that cognitive, physical,

emotional, language and social areas are addressed. Activities are

developmentally appropriate, so that the children can receive the best possible

stimulation. This book contains lessons, ideas, and activities that any person

would be able to use. People, including parents, presenters, school administrators,

graduate students, staff members in childcare laboratories, and early childhood

teachers, are all individuals that could benefit from using this curriculum.

This curriculum contains units and ideas that are simple and easy to

understand, so that readers, parents and teachers, can use it on a daily basis, both

in the classroom and at home. It is functional and pleasing to the eye, and it

covers quality, not just quantity. This curriculum is also unique because it is user

friendly. The simplicity is convenient for our readers' and professionals' busy

schedules. Parents and professionals rarely have the time or luxury of

uninterrupted periods to sit, read, and search through and pull out the

information that is needed. This simplified version gives them that opportunity.

The latest research shows that between birth to three years of age is the time

when a child's mental capacity is the greatest. Research illustrates that if positive

and appropriate stimulation of a child's mind is provided, the child will become a

better-rounded individual. Recent research also supports the link between

literacy and school success; literacy refers to reading and writing skills, and

building oral language skills, such as listening and speaking. Childcare providers

can foster the development of literacy in children. Strategies used to develop

reading and writing include: listening to stories, reading stories, talking and

listening to children, playing sound games, saying nursery rhymes, singing songs,

singing and saying words that rhyme, using phonetic sounds, exploring rhythms,

scribbling, and verbally labeling objects and events. Caregivers and parents can

use seasonal songs, rhymes and stories throughout the year. Also, choose and use

age appropriate toys, songs, rhymes, and books that go along with the themes and

units in the curriculum. The appropriate books to use with infants are board

books and plastic books with real photos that can be seen easily.

Coming Fall 2003: "The Early Childhood Curriculum Resource Book by Betty Hanks.