"Children are entitled to be provided with an appropriate curriculum" - discuss.

Authors Avatar

“Children are entitled to be provided with an appropriate curriculum”

Curricula are courses of study. To be effective they need to be appropriate for the children they are targeted at. This means specifying what and how the children are to be taught. The children have an entitlement to be educated using appropriate curricula, not only on ethical grounds but also by legislation and recommendations both nationally and locally. The foundation stage curriculum begins when a child reaches the age of three and finishes at the end of the reception year. It must provide an effective learning environment, particularly for those children who need support. It requires careful structuring with adults playing a crucial role in the organisation. Communication with adults and activities that stimulate the child’s mind lay a foundation for the child’s development in oral language, literacy and numeracy.

A rights and legislation approach means that children are entitled to freedom of association, provided it does not deny their entitlement to protection from hostile influences. This allows them to interact in different relationships safely. Effective education requires practitioners who are able to supply the curriculum requirements. Children are entitled to provisions that support their knowledge, understanding, skills and confidence. The right to play in a stimulating environment is part of the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of the Child. (Moore 1986). There is no entitlement to friendship (Ennew 1995), although it can come under the right of the child’s free association and peaceable assembly in Article 15.

An example of structuring an appropriate curriculum are the Early Learning Goals of the foundation stage. They are organised in almost the same six areas as the National Curriculum. They are guidelines rather than legislation, not a curricular in themselves. They include personal, social and emotional development, communication, language and literacy, mathematical development, knowledge and understanding of the world, physical development and creative development. .

Personal, social and emotional development promotes well being. This is especially important for the shift between settings, e.g., from the home to a nursery. The child should feel they have opportunities to become part of the setting enabling them to have a sense of self-esteem. There should be positive attitudes towards their learning, knowledge and confidence in their ability to learn. The children should learn social skills, how to talk and get along with one another. Their attention skills and persistence are important to promote the child’s development. They should be taught how to concentrate on their own tasks and group tasks.

Join now!

Talking to each other or adults encourages the child’s communication, language and literacy. They learn communication skills and listening skills. Children should enjoy and explore new words through text promoting their reading and writing skills. Mathematics gives children the opportunity to develop their understanding of numbers, measurement, shapes and space.

Understanding the world is a significant part of a child’s learning, It enables them to predict, explore and find out about themselves and other people. Physical development encourages the child’s fine and gross motor skills, how their body works and giving them knowledge of health and safety. Creativity gives ...

This is a preview of the whole essay