So, since you don’t have to start from scratch and Duncan Hines premade curriculum has already provided the basics for a brownie mix, what next? Pre-made curriculum is a starting point based on the milestones of a particular age/stage, but how do I tailor this recipe to children’s differing tastes?
Well, just like a brownie recipe, DAP leaves room to adjust. The second component of developmentally culturally appropriate practice addresses these differences through INDIVIDUAL UNIQUENESS. Think about the decisions to make when “spicing up” your recipe: many children like walnuts, others are allergic; some enjoy fudge on the top, others can’t stand it. We are faced with the same challenges as Early Childhood Professionals. We must understand that children come to us with different temperament types (flexible, slow-to-warm up and feisty), personalities, and learning styles and we must address their needs.
Right about now, you must be thinking “Wow! What do I do? How do I handle this?” Just as you handle putting ingredients into a bowl, you must address uniqueness in the same way: through SMALL STEPS.
First, drop in a dose of careful OBSERVATION of the children’s likes, dislikes, interests, etc. Second, stir in CREATIVE and flexible teaching; ask yourself, “How can I make the classroom activities more engaging for each child? Third, add in PERSONAL REFLECTION; look in the mirror and honestly assess yourself, “What type of learner am I? What is my temperament type and how do I interact with different temperaments?”
So, as you attempt to prepare a Duncan Hines premade curriculum mix that will appeal to all, remember that CHILDREN are INDIVIDUALS and it’s up to the Early Childhood Professional to create the right combination. Divide up the pan, bake multiple packages of mix with different ingredients, do whatever it takes to deliver the right dessert(s) that will be effective for all. J