Minor Award Name Early Childhood Curriculum Minor Award Code 6N1944 Level 6 Some suggested resources to support delivery: Theme/Topic Type Relevance Author/Source Web Link Aistear - Early Childhood Curriculum Framework for children from birth to six years in Ireland e-book Essential reading - Aistear describes the types of learning (dispositions, values and attitudes, skills, knowledge, and understanding) that are important for children in their early years, and offers ideas and suggestions as to how this learning might be nurtured. The Framework also provides guidelines on supporting children’s learning through partnerships with parents, interactions, play, and assessment. National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) Síolta eManuals Essential reading - Síolta, the National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education in Ireland is designed to define, assess and support the improvement of quality across all aspects of practice in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) settings where children aged birth to six years are present. Síolta was developed by the Centre for Early Childhood Development and Education on behalf of the Department of Education and Skills
a tool for continuing professional development. Training Resource - Supporting Children's Positive Behaviour Resource Pack The pack helps with understanding the theories behind young children’s social interactions and how to handle the more challenging situations that may arise in working with children. The pack provides all of the information and resources needed to provide a training session, including: A PowerPoint Presentation on CD; Comprehensive facilitator’s guidance and notes; Materials needed to facilitate an interactive workshop. Barnados Meeting the Challenge: Effective Strategies for Challenging Behaviours in Childhood Environments Book This reader-friendly book explains the biological and social sources of aggressive behavior and offers easily understandable ideas and strategies proven to prevent and safely diffuse the most challenging behaviors. Includes ways to empower and observe all children Barbara Kaiser & Judy Sklar Rasminsky Outdoor play matters - The benefit of outdoor play Handbook The handbook highlights the benefits of outdoor play and shows how playing outside supports the child’s development Barnados
Educational Theorists and Psychologists. Book This book summarises the ideas of educational theorists and psychologists of the last 60 years, from Elinor Goldschmied to Tina Bruce. It also looks at the important contemporary issues in early years education, from whether boys and girls learn differently to the role of the community in the early years setting. How Children Learn 3: Contemporary Thinking and Theorists is a straight-forward guide to some of the most important and cutting edge ideas in early years education of the last fifty years. This easy-to-read book is designed to save both early years students and professionals time in summarising many of the key theorists. It advises on how each theory can be put into practice, with examples and provides criticisms of each theorist, plus a list of references to retrieve further information. Linda Pound: How Children Learn 3 Educational Theorists and Curriculum Approaches Comprehensive and practical textbook presenting an overview of early childhood curriculum. Explores a range of early childhood programme models, their approaches and Eilis Flood & Catriona Hardy:
Programmes Planning for Children Assessment Information Handout Online booklet/ information sheet Powerpoint Online Tips and advice for practitioners planning programmes in early childhood education. Introduction to Planning Planning the Physical Environment Creating open ended experiences and opportunities for children. Definitions of assessment What is assessed? Purpose of assessment How can assessments be documented and stored? Author (s): Eilis Flood and Catriona Hardy. Published by: Gill and Macmillan Once in a Lifetime: Early Childhood Care and Education for Children from birth to three. NCRC 2005 -
Minor Award Code 6N1944 Level 6 Suggested resources to support delivery: Theme/Topic Type Relevance Author/Source Web Link Early Childhood Curriculum Book Specifically written for QQI Level and practical textbook presenting an overview of early childhood curriculum, exploring a range of early childhood theorists, their pedagogical principles and how these complement and reinforce the underlying philosophies and themes of Aistear and Síolta.- -Presents the role of the adult as critical to the support of child well-being and belonging through relevant curriculum planning and implementation.-Relevant legislation and national practice guidelines key early learning themes:-Early Learning Philosophy-Early Learning Environment-Early Learning Literacy and Numeracy-Early learning arts and reflective practice and mentoring as a method of self-evaluation and skills development. Flood, E & Hardy, C.
Play Learning and the early childhood curriculum Book This publication describes the ideologies and theories of a range of theorists in relation to play including developing play in the curriculum , a pedagogy of play and assessing children’s learning through play E. & Attfield, J. Sage Publications available at www.amazon.co.uk Engaging young children a nurturing pedagogy Book This book includes the following : dynamics of early learning, from vision to curriculum nurturing pedagogy in practice and creating learning environments. Hayes, N & Kernan, M. Gill & MacMillan Dublin Role of the Adult in Early Years Settings Book The role of the is discussed under the following : critical reflector, carer, communicator, facilitator, observer, assessor and creator Rose, J & Rogers, S. McGraw Hill Open University Press Professional Pedagogy for childhood education PDF Underpinned by Aistear, the Professional Pedagogy Project (PPP) provided an focus on the areas of Early Childhood Play and Curriculum, Planning and Reflective Practice, Assessment for Learning and Transitions. This tailored programme not only incorporated training, but supported the transference of theory to practice through onsite mentoring and peer knowledge themed cluster sessions. The aim was to scaffold and strengthen pedagogical 2012 Donegal County Childcare Committee
practice, to enable educators to take ownership of that change and to use self and team reflection to map progress. Resources produced on the PPP can be downloaded for free Supporting Quality Book 2 Guidelines for professional practice in early childhood services Book Includes information on Froebel, Dewey, Steiner, Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Highscope and other pedagogical traditions. It also contained information on assessment and planning and supporting learning strategies, the creation of a learning environment and parental and community engagement French, G Barnardos Christchurch Dublin Planning Play and The Early Years Book This publication covers Play, Planning Early Years curriculum detailed provision for opportunities for all areas of development including language and literacy knowledge and understanding creative development. Tassoni, P & Hucker, K Heinemann ChildCare Aistear The Early Childhood Curriculum Framework Online Essential for all childcare students as it discusses principles and themes relevant to ECEC. Equally discusses the role of the adult in supporting the developmental needs of children and what is age and stage appropriate. In addition it discusses the role of play, partnership with parents, interactions and assessments. NCCA -National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (2009) Hardcopy Available from Government Publications Dublin
checklists for assessing and improving practice Parental Involvement; A handbook for childcare providers Booklet Parental Involvement; A handbook for childcare providers 2006 Barnardo’s Barnardo’s National Children’s Resource Centre 2006 Assessment in Early Childhood Settings Book Assessment in Early Childhood Settings: Learning Stories Carr, M Paul Chapman Publishing 2001 www.amazon.co.uk Children’s early learning and development Research Paper Children’s early learning and development, Aistear: The Early Childhood Curriculum Framework, Research paper. Dublin: NCCA French, G. (2007), Supporting early learning and development through formative assessment, Research Paper, Supporting early learning and development through formative assessment, Aistear: The Early Childhood Curriculum Framework, Research paper. Dubliin NCCA Dunphy, E. (2008), . Relationship between education and care in early childhood Research Paper Perspectives on the relationship between education and care in early childhood, Aistear: The Early Childhood Curriculum Framework, Research paper. Dublin: NCCA, http://www.ncca.ie/earlylearning Hayes, N. (2007), . Play as a context for Early Research Paper Play as a context for Early Learning and Development, Aistear: The Early Childhood Curriculum Framework, Kernan, M. (2007), .
Learning and Development, Research paper. Dublin: NCCA, http://www.ncca.ie/earlylearning Guide to play, learning environment, planning and interactions PDF What? Why? How? Guide to Play and the Learning Environment What? Why? How? Guide to Assessment and Curriculum Planning in Practice What? Why? How? Guide to Interactions Kildare Co Childcare Committee Child Care Pre School Regulations 2006 PDF/Hard Copy Child Care (Pre-School Services) (No 2) Regulations 2006 and Child Care Services) (No 2) (Amendment) Regulations 2006. Published by the Stationery Office, Dublin Available in hard copy form Stationary Office Dublin National Standard for preschool services 2010 PDF These guidelines are linked to regulations and are considered to be best practice in relation to providing for the development and learning of the child Government Available online Aistear/Siolta Practice Guide Online The Aistear Síolta Practice Guide is intended to help you in your role as curriculum developer to build, reflect on and extend your curriculum to support babies’, toddlers’ and young children’s early learning and development. Six interconnected Curriculum Pillars: 1. Building Partnerships with Parents 2. Creating and Using the Learning NCCA 2015