In early childhood education, we model our programs after highly respected models such as, Montessori, High Scope, and Reggie Emilia, Creative Curriculum, etc. We all have our own approaches to education. In the following paragraphs I will summarize two curriculum models, compare and contrast two of the curriculum models and compare the one that best matches my own educational philosophy.
High/Scope curriculum is based on Piaget’s concept that children are asctive learners who construct their knowledge base through playing and experimenting with hands-on materials (Segal, Bardige, Wolka, & Leinfelder, 2006). This curriculum framework describes educational ideas and strategies but does not rely on a specific set of materials. The five basic principles that form the framework of the High/Scope Curriculum are active learning, supportive adult-child interactions, a materials-rich learning environment, a consistent daily routine, and ongoing child assessment. The High/Scope educational programming includes the following elements: a core curriculum that includes specific elements but encourages following children’s interests, a three-phase “plan-do-review” learning cycle, and assessment tools and strategies (Follari, 2007). This curriculum is currently used in setting that serves infants, toddlers, preschool, and early elementary aged children. It was originally developed to serve “at-risk” children in Michigan (Kostelnik, Soderman, & Whiren, 2011).
Reggio Emilia is a city northern of Italy where a group of parents, children, and educators came together with a vision for a different kind of school for children. Loris Malaguzzi was the founding director from 1920-1994. Under her leadership the system evolved from a parent cooperative movement into a city-run system of first preschools and then to infants and toddler centers (Kostelnik, Soderman, & Whiren, 2011). Reggo Emilia schools focus on learning experiences on allowing children to experience the world with all their senses. The Reggio Emilia approach stresses the importance of respecting children and discovering their amazing capacities. The Reggio Emilia Curriculum emerges from the children’s interests and questions (Segal, Bardige, Wolka, & Leinfelder, 2006).
