Page 4 - LESSION 12.pmd

Planning Developmentally Appropriate ECCE Curriculum

Therefore, when we plan a programme for an ECCE centre, we need to ensure
social and cultural orientation. Contextualization is an effort to relate the content
of the curriculum to the local environment. Generally, to contextualize ideas, Notes
statements or events is to contain categories with local and complete meaning. It
is the act or process of putting information into context as also making sense of
information from the situation or location in which the information was found.
Research supports that contextualized instruction leads to better learning. In short,
begin children’s early learning from their environment, which they are familiar
with and which they have already observed. Slowly, children will try and question
and seek connections of facts to their origin and context. Such kind of contextualized
experiences help them feel interested, motivated for school and ultimately, a feeling
of success and achievement.

INTEXT QUESTIONS 12.1
Fill in the blanks:

(a) In …………………………………,an effort is made to relate the content of
the curriculum to the local environment.

(b) India is a……………………………………and multilingual nation.
(c) Developmentally appropriate ECCE curriculum keeps ……………… and
………………… level of children in consideration.

(d) An ECCE programme needs to be ………………… and can be improved
to reflect new………………………….
(e) There is an immense diversity and children may find it difficult to adjust
and learn as they all have diverse……………………………...

12.3 PRINCIPLES OF QUALITY ECCE PLANNING

A high quality ECCE programme helps to ensure appropriate opportunities for
all children keeping the focus on holistic development of the children. Thus, it is
important to develop an ECCE programme balancing both children’s development
and contextual needs. The programme or ECCE curriculum should ensure a
stimulating environment with diverse learning opportunities. According to the
developmental characteristics, all children are naturally motivated to learn and are
capable of learning. Young children learn when they have opportunity to:
• play

• observe and express
• form familiar and new experiences

• participate, engage and communicate

EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION 39