Curriculum is the how, what, when, and why of a program of study. Emergent describes a curriculum approach to early childhood teaching and learning that focuses on children’s questions and search for answers. Emergent curriculum unites depth, breadth, and integration of subject areas and developmental domains. The underpinnings of this approach come from constructivist and sociocultural theories. The primary importance of emergent curriculum is the focus on the child as a co-constructor of curriculum with the teacher; this creates enthusiastic and engaged learning for teachers and children alike.

Contributions to the Development of Emergent Curriculum

The understanding of emergent curriculum comes through a variety of lenses that expands validity of this approach in early childhood education. Theorists such as Jean Piaget (1896–1980, a Swiss developmental psychologist) and ...

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