The Curriculum; The Early Years Foundation stage in Comparison to the Te Whariki.
This essay will explain what is meant by the curriculum and how it is a legal requirement within the early years. It will explore the theories of play, child/adult initiated play and its role in children’s learning within the curriculum. Although there are key stages 1-4 within the curriculum the essay will focus on the Early Years Foundation Stage, it also looks at the structure of the early years foundation stage framework(EYFS) and how it is used to support a holistic learning experience for every child under the age of five years. It will also examine New Zealand’s Te Whariki curriculum and compare it with the EYFS. It will conclude with the similarities and differences within each curriculum area’s.
The Curriculum is a planned/unplanned learning programme, which education settings are required to provide in order to educate every child. From the age three to eighteen years the curriculum aims to ensure that all children in England and other countries, develop the attributes, knowledge and skills they will need to thrive in life, learning and work. Piaget’s stage theory of development has had an influence on thinking and curriculum construction. Stephen (2006) states his legacy of progressive construction of development through distinct stages remains in ways in which children are grouped. Children engage in active exploration and it is important that the environment and resources stimulate learning in children. They will develop four abilities to be; successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and successful contributors. Drake (2002) say’s through a broad balanced curriculum children can progress towards the Early Learning Goals (ELG) and beyond. The QCA Early learning Goals (1999) say’s that the child's world is their classroom and that activities should build on children's interests by having knowledgeable practitioners to extend these...