Blended Approach to Emergent Curriculum

In their recent Exchange article, "The Power of Intention: Reconsidering Early Childhood Practices," authors Lisa Porter Kuh and Iris Chin Ponte explain: "As a field, we have polarized ourselves. On one hand, we want to promote play-based experiences and open-ended, creative opportunities with multiple entry points...On the other hand, teachers are under increasing pressure to build skills to bridge the achievement gap. Teachers feel caught in this divide, fostering an either/or mentality that is counterproductive to children's growth and development...

"We believe there is another approach – a way for teachers and children to have it all...This approach blends best practices from some specific philosophies that are the foundation of early education, but have become less prominent over time. The Blended Approach is rooted in the theories of John Dewey, the Montessori method and socially constructed learning experience inspired by Vygotsky's work. It is also inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach, and what is often known as emergent curriculum..."

The authors outline four critical beliefs that are foundational to the Blended Approach:

• "All children are competent, capable and bring a wealth of knowledge to the classroom.
  
  
• Children are always in the process of developing self-awareness: as learners, in friendship, and as members of families, culture, communities.
  
  
• Play-based experiences take many forms.
  
  
• Children need opportunities for discovery and play, as well as guidance, modeling, and support to be successful learners and develop positive identity."

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