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32.2: Foundational Concepts of Infant and Toddler Curriculum

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  • Page ID
    142688

    • Amanda Taintor
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    What's most important?

    Before exploring curriculum development, it is essential to understand the thinking around infants and toddlers. Most caregivers don't argue the fundamental rights of children, and the United Nations Convention on the rights of children created 54 articles around these rights. 3 articles below from the children's version of the document should be taken especially to heart by caregivers who work with children (UNICEF, 2009).

    Article 3. Best interests of the child

    When adults make decisions, they should think about how their decisions will affect children. All adults should do what is best for children. Governments should make sure children are protected and looked after by their parents or other people when this is needed. Governments should make sure that people and places responsible for looking after children are doing a good job.

    Article 29. Aims of education

    Children's education should help them fully develop their personalities, talents and abilities. It should teach them to understand their own rights, and to respect other people's rights, cultures and differences. It should help them to live peacefully and protect the environment.

    Article 31. Rest, play, culture, arts

    Every child has the right to rest, relax, play and to take part in cultural and creative activities.

    As caregivers of young children, our beliefs about children affect we treat them, the care we provide, and the curriculum we chose or create. Does your belief about the capacity of infants and toddlers agree with Jerome Bruner when he says, "the child is not merely ignorant or an empty vessel, but somebody able to reason, to make sense, both on her own and through discourse with others" (Bruner, 1996)? Or do you have another structural belief which will guide you as you create curriculum?

    This page titled 32.2: Foundational Concepts of Infant and Toddler Curriculum is shared under a mixed 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Amanda Taintor.