- How do children learn through play?
- What does curriculum mean for infants, toddlers and preschoolers?
- How can I design a learning environment that will be inspiring and engaging for the children in my class?
- What is the purpose of authentic assessment?
- How can I welcome families to take part in my curriculum?
Get answers to these questions and more during this three-day educational series, which provides early childhood professionals with the knowledge necessary to create curriculum that embodies the core beliefs of the New York State Core Body of Knowledge. These include the beliefs that children construct their own knowledge based on their curiosity and driven by their interests, that children learn through play, and that children learn best when the adults in their lives work in partnership with each other. These beliefs are common to the research foundation of emergent curriculum, Creative Curriculum and High Scope, and this professional development series is appropriate for teachers and leaders who use these approaches.
Session 1: Foundation of Interest-Driven Learning
All Participants: Leaders, Infant/Toddler and Preschool
Session 2: Observation and Recording
Differentiated for Leaders, Infant/Toddler and Preschool
Session 3: Creating the Curriculum
Differentiated for Leaders, Infant/Toddler and Preschool
The Interest-Driven Learning Framework series begins with a day in which family childcare providers, teachers of infants and toddlers, teachers of preschoolers, and program leaders work together to deepen their understanding of the core beliefs. Although the core beliefs state that children are born ready to learn, early childhood curriculum often feels ‘pushed-down’ from kindergarten. This series counters that trend by asking all participants to observe and reflect on developmental progressions, beginning with very young infants. Participants use videos to examine the central role of relationships and reciprocal interactions in healthy intellectual and emotional development. Because deep and authentic family engagement is fundamental to early childhood curriculum development, participants take time to share strategies for strengthening family partnerships.
Days two and three of the series are differentiated for program leaders, family childcare providers, teachers of infants and toddlers, and teachers of preschoolers. During day two, leaders focus on articulating their vision and developing their skills as pedagogical leaders. Family childcare providers and teachers use hands-on activities and video reflection to advance their understanding of what interest-driven learning looks like for their modality and age group. They focus on the importance of relationships, caregiving routines, and the physical environment in early childhood curriculum. Throughout each part of the day, participants learn strategies to ensure that their curriculum is inclusive of the cultures of the families and children in their care.
NYAEYC will be offering all sessions in 2019 to QualityStars NY Programs!
Registration opens Tuesday, January 8, 2019!
Location: Albany
All sessions take place at NYAEYC headquarters at 230 Washington Avenue Extension, Albany.
Session 1
Tuesday, March 5, 2019, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Session 2
Leaders/Administrators | Infant/Toddler Teaching Teams | Preschool Teaching Teams |
Tuesday, April 16, 2019 |
Wednesday, April 17, 2019 |
Thursday, April 18, 2019 |
Session 3
Leaders/Administrators | Infant/Toddler Teaching Teams | Preschool Teaching Teams |
Tuesday, May 21, 2019 |
Wednesday, May 22, 2019 |
Thursday, May 23, 2019 |
Session 1
Saturday, January 26, 2019, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Onondaga Community College, 4585 W. Seneca Turnpike, C*116 Coulter Library, Syracuse
Session 2
Salvation Army Cab Horse Commons, 677 S. Salina St., Syracuse
Infant/Toddler Teaching Teams | Preschool Teaching Teams | Leaders/Administrators |
Monday, March 11, 2019 |
Tuesday, March 12, 2019 |
Wednesday, March 13, 2019 |
Session 3
Salvation Army Cab Horse Commons, 677 S. Salina St., Syracuse
Infant/Toddler Teaching Teams | Preschool Teaching Teams | Leaders/Administrators |
Tuesday, May 7, 2019 |
Wednesday, May 8, 2019 |
Thursday, May 9, 2019 |
Questions? E-mail amills@nyaeyc.org.