Proposal Good Play Curriculum
PROPOSAL
A Multi-Sensory Approach to Family-Centered Curriculum In Early Intervention Settings: A Culturally Integrated Play Curricula
A. Rationale for the Presentation
The theoretical framework for this presentation can be found in the work on collaboration and conversational instruction, conducted by Tharp & Gallimore (1986), and others in culturally and ethnically diverse settings. The use of this rationale is successful in enhancing early learning among children with handicaps (Turben, 1995). A major characteristic of the successful use of these strategies is that curricula is designed to be "family-centered"; that is, the curriculum is based on family goals, reflecting each family's unique needs and wants.
Curriculum that enhances development appears to be most successful if it is multi-sensory, activity-based and dependent on naturally-occurring observations (Turben, 1995). This research presentation discusses collaboration as the major strategy for creating effective, family-centered settings in which to conduct culturally diverse early intervention programs.
B. Purpose
The purpose of this demonstration is to guide early childhood educators in discovering how 0 - 8 year olds develop several different kinds of thinking simultaneously during the early years, and how child thinking can be integrated into play. The emphasis is on the development of culturally integrated play curricula, designed to accelerate early learning. Discussants will practice using multi-sensory techniques and methods that stimulate and motivate children to think, talk and play using play objects and play events as "props". This multi-sensory approach to curriculum integrates children with special needs into preschool classrooms with less stress and more success.
C. Content
The presentation will include:
- A mini-course in major milestones of culturally integrated, socio-cognitive development which emphasizes how children, from birth through eight years of age, demonstrate thinking skills. Tasks, props, play objects and play events will be used to illustrate ecological stages of developmental play.
- A demonstration of the multi-sensory approach to engaging children in play-learning tasks which "trigger" successful, cognitive learning.
- Active participation by the participants in creating activity kits which have been shown to enhance and accelerate optimal learning among preschool children who exhibit poor self-confidence or handicapping conditions.
PROPOSAL A Multi-Sensory Approach to Family-Centered Curriculum In Early Intervention Settings: A Culturally Integrated Play Curricula CONT'D
D. Method of Presentation
The method of presentation will be conversation, collaboration and demonstration, with opportunities for participation, feedback and practice by the participants.
Limit: 30 persons.
E. Summary of Demographics
The challenge of the 90's is to promote family-centered curriculum that takes into account the life-span developmental and cultural life of children. 90's parents and teachers need to learn how to value child-thinking in its own right and build on this knowledge to increase the effectiveness of early schooling in the context of social and cultural climate of individual families. The ethnic and cultural background of the target population for this presentation is diverse and culturally integrated; that is, inner city population, primarily African-American and White Anglo-Saxon.
