This course seeks to introduce course participants the principles of curriculum development and design, grounded on contemporary theories of learning and the ECE curriculum standards promulgated in Mainland, Taiwan, Hong Kong and selected western countries. Influential ECE curriculum models practiced in local and abroad will be introduced. With reference to the ECE teaching materials commonly used in Macao kindergartens, course objectives, contents, implementation and evaluation will be elucidated to help participants plan a course that is educationally appropriate to the pre-primary children. Course participants are taught, basing on influential models of integrated thematic study, to practice individually arranged education.

CILO-1: Articulate the trend of Early Childhood Education (ECE) curriculum development in the 21st century. CILO-2: Tell the principles of design, implementation, and assessment regarding an integrated ECE curriculum. CILO-3: Design an integrated thematic study, organizing the various domains of learning stipulated in the ECE curriculum standards. CILO-4: Examine issues and methodology pertinent to the implementation of an ECE thematic study. CILO-5: Use multiple assessment to document children’s learning experiences and development.