• Creative Curriculum revolves exclusively around the child
At Fun Square, we believe that each child has distinct needs and interests. This is why, using the Creative Curriculum philosophy, teachers spend time observing, listening, and interacting with each child. This enables them to get to know their needs and interests.
Thus, children are not focused on a teacher giving them instructions. But rather, all the focus is on them and what they like to do. This is thought to induce developments such as decision-making, being responsible for their own learning, and problem-solving, among others.
• Creative Curriculum is flexible
Once teachers get to know each child, they develop a framework to provide children with a curriculum based on what the child likes, wants, and needs. However, this is not the end.
Teachers are regularly observing, listening, and interacting with the children as well as taking note of their learning. This is due to children’s natural and constant need for change.
A child’s needs and interests will be ever growing, and thus teachers need to keep up with such change in order to deliver the best possible creative curriculum at a certain period of time.
• Creative Curriculum offers an open and welcoming classroom
Creative Curriculum is very much dependant on the classroom atmosphere and set-up. Similar to the Reggio Emilia approach to childhood education, at Fun Square we make sure children feel fully welcome to explore, play, and interact in the classroom. Children feel comfortable and safe in this type of classroom setting as it encourages their natural curiosity and imagination to work and develop. A classroom using Creative Curriculum also allows for ample interaction among all children. This will help children build relationships among one another.
• Creative Curriculum is collaborative
At Fun Square, teachers working with Creative Curriculum not only interact with children; they collaborate with other teachers and with the community. They also get parents and family involved in the learning process of their children. They do this by sharing their observations with parents and welcoming their input in the curriculum.
In conclusion, Creative Curriculum is a very child-centred and child-responsive approach to childhood education that is worth looking into. Creative Curriculum encourages children to be constantly engaged, interested, and motivated to learn. And that is a great thing!
