How do you respond when children notice and get excited about phenomena in the environment around them? The dump truck at the construction site across the street. The earthworm, crawling through the classroom's garden plot. Or the mail carrier's uniform when delivering letters and packages to the school. How can teachers turn these simple, everyday moments into rich learning experiences? 

NAEYC’s Emergent Curriculum and the Cycle of Inquiry course is the first step on your journey to guiding children through an emergent curriculum. This 5-module course:  

• highlights the importance of  teacher creativity, divergent thinking, and maintaining an explorer mindset. 
• leads learners through an interactive observation and reflection process.  
• provides exclusive video from the authors of From Children’s Interests to Children’s Thinking: Using a Cycle of Inquiry to Plan Curriculum reflecting on how to implement the cycle of inquiry and utilize teacher-friendly forms to aid curriculum planning, observation, and intentionality. 

Various types of curricula can be developmentally appropriate. This course targets experienced teachers with professional preparation in curriculum planning and implementation who are interested in trying a challenging new curriculum choice. 

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the importance of teacher flexibility, intentionality, and creativity to explore and research with children.
• Apply reflection and observation skills as you plan a classroom’s curricula.
• Learn how to utilize six teacher-friendly forms to begin an emergent curriculum approach to lesson planning.