What Is Emergent Curriculum?

Emergent curriculum is a way of planning curriculum that is based on the children’s interest and passion at a certain point in time. Children thrive and learn best when their interests are captured. Learning occurs naturally. Rather than starting with the lesson plan which is repeated every year regardless of the age, developmental level or interests of the children, emergent curriculum starts with the children’s interest. In short, it is a child-directed and teacher facilitated approach to planning the curriculum. There is no knowing where the learning will end up but this openness makes the curriculum more exciting for both teachers and children. 

Little Angels Curriculum Goals

1. Help the child develop expressive and receptive oral language

2. Help the child become an independent thinker who can make choices and decisions

3. Help the child move from needing outer authority to the control of his/her own behavior (self-discipline)

4. Help the child develop confidence in his/her ability to achieve goals through independent effort, as well as teamwork

5. Help the child develop an understanding of feelings and how feelings motivate behavior; help the child gain control over how feelings are expressed and learn acceptable ways of dealing with, and expressing strong feelings

6. Help the child develop social skills needed to be successful in interpersonal relations, to function successfully in the peer group and to learn from peers

7. Help the child learn to respect, value, and have tolerance, for individual, cultural, ethnic, and racial diversity

8. Help the child develop interest and ability to process graphic symbols (such as letters, use of sign language) and associated pictures and language in its written form (early reading and writing)

9. Help the child develop intellectual curiosity, skills in observing, problem solving, and learning through his/her efforts (science/math)

10. Provide information on, and experience with, the social and physical world that the child needs to function adequately (social studies)

11. Develop the aesthetic sensibilities and horizons through artistic, academic, and intellectual experiences, especially art, music, and creativity

12. Facilitate the child’s physical skills through provisions of large and fine-motor activities

13. Provide a program that is fun for children, to enhance their love of learning