An exploration of early childhood curriculum, with a particular focus on Te Whāriki, the early childhood curriculum framework.
This paper provides students with an introduction to the New Zealand early childhood
curriculum, Te Whāriki, through an exploration of its historical, political, social,
ideological, theoretical and cultural contexts. It will also allow students to gain
both content and pedagogical content knowledge of ICT (Information Communication Technology),
mathematics and technology.
This introduction provides a foundation for
two future courses: Weaving Curriculum (EDCR 201) and Living Curriculum (EDCR 301),
which will deepen students' knowledge and understandings of the implementation
of the early childhood curriculum.
| Paper title | Exploring Curriculum |
|---|---|
| Paper code | EDCR101 |
| Subject | Education |
| EFTS | 0.1500 |
| Points | 18 points 18 points |
| Teaching period(s) | First Semester, First Semester |
| Domestic Tuition Fees (NZD) | $863.25 |
| International Tuition Fees (NZD) | $3,954.75 |
- Limited to
- BEdSt, BTchg
- Notes
- Early Childhood Education students only.
- Contact
- meredith.kelly@otago.ac.nz
- Teaching staff
Paper Co-ordinator: Meredith Kelly (Southland campus)
Dr Beverley Clark (Dunedin)- Paper Structure
What is curriculum in the early years?
- The context of Te Whāriki
- Historical, cultural, ideological, political, social
- Theoretical Te Whāriki, as a bicultural framework
- Aims, philosophy, aspiration statement
- Principles and strands
- Te Ao Māori and two worldviews
Pedagogy
- The pedagogy of play
- Pedagogical approaches
Content and pedagogical content knowledge
- Key elements and pedagogic approaches
- Mathematics
- Technology
- ICT: A curriculum tool for learning
- Textbooks
Required Texts:
- Lee, W., Carr, M., Soutar, B. & Mitchell, L. (2013). Understanding the te whariki approach: Early years education in practice. Oxon, United Kingdom: Routledge.
- New Zealand Ministry of Education. (1996). Te whāriki: He whāriki matauranga mo ngā mokopuna o Aotearoa: Early childhood curriculum. Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media.
- Nuttall, J. (Ed.). (2013). Weaving Te Whāriki: Aotearoa New Zealand's early childhood curriculum document in theory and practice. (2nd ed.). Wellington, New Zealand: NZCER.
- Online te reo Māori dictionary http://www.tewhanake.maori.nz/
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Interdisciplinary perspective, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural
understanding, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
- To explore and describe what curriculum means in early childhood settings.
- To examine the historical, cultural, ideological, political, social and theoretical context of the early childhood curriculum, Te Whāriki.
- To gain an understanding of Te Whāriki, as a bicultural curriculum framework with its underpinning aims, philosophy, principles and strands in practice.
- To construct content and pedagogical content knowledge in relation to the learning areas of mathematics and technology that are relevant to learners in the early childhood context.
