Designing an Early Education Curriculum: Best Practices and Innovations

As an educator, I understand the importance of a well-designed early education curriculum. It sets the foundation for a child’s cognitive, social, and emotional development, and prepares them for future academic success. In this article, I will explore the best practices and innovations in early education curriculum, highlighting the impact of PBS Wisconsin Education’s resources and partnerships.

PBS Wisconsin Education has been at the forefront of providing classroom support and professional development opportunities for educators. Their commitment to enhancing early education is evident in the significant engagement they have achieved. Over 2,500 Wisconsin educators have participated in their professional development sessions, gaining valuable insights and strategies to improve their teaching practices.

One notable innovation by PBS Wisconsin Education is their partnership with the Wisconsin School Music Association to create Re/sound: Songs of Wisconsin. This multimedia resource explores the connections between music, culture, and emotion, adding a creative and engaging component to the early education curriculum.

Another valuable addition to the curriculum is Wisconsin Biographies, a collection of free online resources that enhance social studies and English language arts. Featuring inspiring stories of individuals such as Geshe Lhundub Sopa, Mahmoud Othman Atta, and Electa Quinney, Wisconsin’s first public school teacher, these resources bring diversity and real-life examples into the classroom.

Key Takeaways:

• Designing an early education curriculum is crucial for a child’s development.
• PBS Wisconsin Education offers valuable resources and professional development opportunities for educators.
• Re/sound: Songs of Wisconsin and Wisconsin Biographies are innovative additions to the curriculum.
• These resources enhance cultural understanding and provide diverse role models for students.
• Stay tuned for the next sections where we will explore early learning educator engagement and media literacy certification.

Early Learning Educator Engagement

PBS Wisconsin Education recognizes the crucial role of early childhood educators in laying the foundation for lifelong learning. To support these educators in their professional development and enhance early learning experiences, PBS Wisconsin Education has introduced several initiatives.

Access to Professional Development Opportunities and High-Quality Educational Media

PBS Wisconsin Education has recently launched a new early learning webpage, providing educators and early childcare providers with a comprehensive resource hub. This webpage offers easy access to a range of professional development opportunities specifically tailored to early learning. Educators can explore workshops, webinars, and courses designed to enhance their teaching practices and keep them well-informed about the latest research and techniques in early education.

In addition to professional development, the early learning webpage also offers a rich collection of high-quality educational media from PBS KIDS. Educators can find engaging videos, interactive games, and educational resources that align with early learning curricula. These resources are designed to captivate young learners while effectively promoting key developmental skills.

Building Communities through EdCamp Events

Alongside online resources, PBS Wisconsin Education believes in the power of face-to-face interactions and peer collaboration. In collaboration with local community organizations, they have organized EdCamp events exclusively for early childhood educators. These events create a platform for educators to come together, share insights, and engage in peer-to-peer learning.

These EdCamp events have gained considerable traction, attracting educators from various backgrounds, such as Wisconsin librarians. They have successfully served over 2,000 children and their caregivers, establishing a supportive network of early learning professionals committed to providing the best educational experiences.

Ongoing Learning with Self-Paced Courses

To ensure continuous growth and development, PBS Wisconsin Education offers self-paced courses through partnerships with PBS KIDS and Sesame Workshop. These courses allow educators to deepen their knowledge, explore new teaching strategies, and incorporate innovative approaches into their classrooms.

These self-paced courses provide flexibility and convenience, enabling educators to engage in professional development at their own pace. By integrating the latest research and best practices in early learning, these courses empower educators to create enriching and effective learning environments for young learners.

Media Literacy Certification

PBS Wisconsin Education, in collaboration with KQED and PBS Wisconsin’s Education Innovators, offers a Media Literacy Cohort program to support educators in pursuing their PBS Media Literacy Educator Certification. This program has seen significant participation, with 76 Wisconsin educators taking part, making Wisconsin the second-highest state for PBS Media Literacy Certified Educators.

The program includes micro-credentials related to media literacy, providing educators with an opportunity to enhance their skills in understanding and analyzing media messages. Through a series of workshops, participants learn about video and audio production basics, enabling them to support student media-making activities in the classroom. The program equips educators with the tools and knowledge necessary to navigate the complex media landscape and guide students towards becoming critical consumers and creators of media.

Participating educators have enthusiastically embraced the media literacy program, recognizing its value for staying updated on media literacy issues. As media continues to evolve, it is essential for educators to be equipped with the latest knowledge and resources to effectively teach and guide their students in media literacy. The Media Literacy Cohort program provides educators with the opportunity to earn a recognized certification that can validate their expertise in this critical area of education.