Parents understanding of a play based early childhood curriculum

Parental Beliefs and Attitudes towards an Early Childhood Play Based Curriculum (Your name (Instructor 's name

May 2009

Table of Contents

Title Page ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------ 1

Table of Contents ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------ 2

Abstract ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------ 3

Chapter 1 Introduction ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------ 4

Main Research Questions ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 5

Purpose of the Study ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- 7

Motivation ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- 7

Keywords ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- 8

Summary ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- 9

Chapter 2

Literature Review ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 10

Preschool Curriculums ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 10

Developmentally Appropriate Practices ------------------------------------------------------- 14

Parental Choice ------------------------------------------------------------------------ - 17

Play Based Curriculum ------------------------------------------------------------------------ - 20

Implications of Previous Research ------------------------------------------------------------ 23

Chapter 3 Methodology ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 25

Theoretical Framework ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 25

Research Method ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 27

Research Design ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 28

Case Selection ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 28

Research Setting ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 29

Data Collection ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 29

Timeline ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 30

Data Analysis ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 31

Trustworthiness Validity ------------------------------------------------------------------- 32

Limitations ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------ 33

References ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------ 34 Abstract

Parents choose the kind of school and curriculum they want for their young children , such that knowledge and understanding of different early childhood curriculums is a necessity . The factors that influence parents in choosing a school are numerous , but practicality , location affordability and previous experience with the school impacts more on the choice than other factors . Parents who enroll their child in an early childhood education program that uses the play based curriculum might have done so without fully understanding what the curriculum is When parents understand and appreciate the curriculum of the program they become more involved and have realistic expectations of...