TYPES OF ECDE CURRICULUM
NACECE/DICECE
This is the key Early Childhood Development and Education teaching approach approved by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) to be taught and used in all ECDE centers.
It has adopted an ideal approach i.e. borrowed ideas from several child educationist and psychologist and therefore referred to as ECLECTIC. Examples of psychologist it has borrowed ideas from include:
• Maria Montessori,
• Froebel,
• Jean Piaget.
Its main idea is to develop the child holistically.
It ensures that children are developed in all areas of development i.e., socially, emotionally, cognitively, physical, morally, religiously, linguistically, aesthetically. The method use thematic integrated learning approach
MONTESSORI
She was born in Italy 1870, and was the first woman in Italy to earn a doctorate degree in medicine.
She found out that children learn much during their first years of life
She developed a system of education for young children based on her observations and conclusion on how children learn.
She developed learning material and teaching material methods based on her beliefs that education involves development of inborn abilities and talents.
The materials used by the children were to stimulate children’s senses which is called multi-sensory materials.
The method of teaching in this type of curriculum is thematic integrated approach; it involves the use of themes in teaching.
Characteristics
1. Self-educational/ auto education/ individual learning/ individualized approach- the child is taught individually according to his or her needs
2. The learning environment is prepared by the teacher and the teacher is the director
3. The teacher arranges the materials for children to manipulate during the lesson
4. Materials bring attention and memory and the teacher should ensure that the class is conducive for learning.
5. the curriculum is based on training which includes the use of all the senses
6. learning is at the pace of children depending on their abilities
Advantages of Montessori Approach
1.Develops positive self-concept
2. Equips children with life skills hence making them useful
3. inculcates values in children: tolerance, courtesy, co operation
4. Makes children useful to themselves and others
5. Develops interest in learning
Demerits
1. It limits the role of the teacher or caregiver
2. 2. It ignores individual differences and ability of students
3. It limits language development in children
4. It does not give children freedom to learn socially and emotionally
KINDERGARTEN HEADMISTRESS ASSOCIATION (KHA)
This is a private training institution based in Nairobi for preschool teachers. The training consists of nine months of pre-service training followed by another nine months of practical teaching in ECDE centers. The teachers are certificated by the institution after successful completion of the two year training. Most of the teachers trained by KHA tend to teach in high cost private ECDE centers in urban areas.
ISLAMIC INTEGRATED EDUCATION PROGRAM (IIEP)
It is also called the Madrassa Curriculum and is based in Mombasa
It is supported by the Agakhan foundation
They develop and implement Madrassa resource centers
Curriculum areas taught include: science, language, mathematics, creative and religious activities
Aims of IIEP
1. To develop Islamic upbringing which can mold the children and the youth
2. To blend curriculum of both religious and secular learning
Roles of IIEP
1. Develop and support curriculum support materials
2. They participate in syllabus making by incorporating issues that deal with Islamic religion
3. They employ and train curriculum implementers
4. The train and employ madrassa teachers
5. They provide information during needs assessment on issues of Islamic religion
6. They develop content for madrassa schools
7. They equip madrassa centers with teaching and learning materials
Demerits
1. They employ and train only madrassa teachers only
2. It targets only Islamic children
3. The content of madrassa is largely based on reciting Islamic scriptures
UNIVERSITY
Universities that offer Ecd Education and develops their own curriculum
The KICD develops the ECD curriculum in cooperation with public Universities
Roles
1. The members participate in KICD panel to give advice
2. The members participate in syllabus writing and revision workshops during curriculum change
3. They support research in curriculum development and implementation
4. They train ECD implementers for post primary teachers and ECD trainers
5. They coordinate and supervise ECDE Post graduate students
6. Some members are appointed to KICD governing council by the ministry of Education
INDIVIDUAL INSTITUTIONS
This are institutions owned by individuals
They offer ecd curriculum services such as: teaching, training and development of materials they include: pre schools, colleges and universities
Roles
1. Production of curriculum materials for ECD teachers training
2. They give feedback to KICD on challenges facing the implementation of ECDC curriculum
3. Participate in needs assessment and information gathering to inform change
4. They coordinate and assess the teacher training who are in teaching practice
5. They participate in syllabus writing and revision workshops and seminars
