An Appropriate Curriculum for 4-5-Year-Old Children in Northern Ireland: Comparing Play-Based and Formal Approaches

Autor/inn/en	Walsh, Glenda; Sproule, Liz; McGuinness, Carol; Trew, Karen; Rafferty, Harry; Sheehy, Noel
Titel	An Appropriate Curriculum for 4-5-Year-Old Children in Northern Ireland: Comparing Play-Based and Formal Approaches
Quelle	In: Early Years: An International Journal of Research and Development, 26 (2006) 2, S.201-221 (21 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0957-5146
Schlagwörter	Foreign Countries; Learning Experience; National Curriculum; Play; Young Children; Educational Quality; Observation; Grade 1; Elementary School Students; Elementary School Curriculum; Learning Activities; Social Development; Emotional Development; Well Being; Student Motivation; Thinking Skills; Teaching Methods; Interpersonal Relationship; Comparative Analysis; Ireland + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Ausland; Lernerfahrung; Spiel; Frühe Kindheit; Quality of education; Bildungsqualität; Beobachtung; School year 01; 1. Schuljahr; Schuljahr 01; Lernaktivität; Soziale Entwicklung; Gefühlsbildung; Well-being; Wellness; Wohlbefinden; Schulische Motivation; Denkfähigkeit; Teaching method; Lehrmethode; Unterrichtsmethode; Interpersonal relation; Interpersonal relations; Interpersonelle Beziehung; Zwischenmenschliche Beziehung; Irland
Abstract	This paper reports on an investigation into the quality of the learning experiences for 4-5-year-old children in Northern Ireland schools in the context of the debate about play-based and formal approaches to learning and teaching. Detailed observations were carried out in 70 Year 1 classes: 38 in traditional Year 1 classes where the Northern Ireland National Curriculum is being delivered, and 32 in Enriched Curriculum classes, where a more developmentally appropriate, play-based and child-centred curriculum is being piloted. The quality of the learning experience in each class was assessed using a structured observation schedule, i.e. Walsh and Gardner's "Quality learning instrument". Overall the Enriched Curriculum appears to be providing 4-5-year-old children in Northern Ireland with a higher-quality learning experience. The children are given more opportunities to act independently, are engaged in more challenging activities and are more learning disposed, and they show higher levels of emotional, social and physical well-being. The findings are discussed in terms of what constitutes an appropriate curriculum for this age group. (Contains 2 notes, 5 tables, and 4 figures.) (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10