Understanding Emergent Curriculum: A Child Sized View of the World

Childhood 101 | Emergent Curriculum - Perspectives

Surely part of being the best parent or teacher you can be entails seeing the world from the child’s perspective?

I admit I am jealous of my toddler’s ability to see and find joy in the infinite possibilities her world presents each day. She is not distracted by all that must be achieved in the day, she is not too busy doing to spend time being, she does not waste time procrastinating, but is instead driven by boundless energy and endless curiosity to explore her world.

An important part of understanding an Emergent Curriculum approach to early education is viewing children (even very young children) as capable and competent, curious and creative.

“Children are natural researchers as they question what they see, hypothesise solutions, predict outcomes, experiment, and reflect on their discoveries. Children are not passive, empty vessels waiting to be filled; rather, they are self motivated learners actively seeking to understand the complex world in which they live.” – L Stanley

Can we shift our perspective to appreciate the wonders of our world through their eyes?

Can we shift our belief that children must be taught by us to instead spend time noticing the many daily opportunities to guide them as they learn?