California Preschool Learning Foundations - ECEZero2Three ...

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teaching. First, teachers can effectively
foster early learning by thoughtfully
considering the preschool learning
foundations as they plan environments
and activities. And second, during
every step in the planning for young
children’s learning, teachers have an
opportunity to tap into the prominent
role of play. Teachers can best support
young children both by encouraging
the rich learning that occurs in children’s
self-initiated play and by introducing
purposeful instructional activities
that playfully engage preschoolers
in learning.
Professional development is a key
component in fostering preschool
learning. The foundations can become
a unifying element for both preservice
and in-service professional development.
Preschool program directors
and teachers can use the foundations
to facilitate curriculum planning and
implementation. At the center of the
CDE’s evolving system for supporting
young children during the preschool
years, the foundations are designed to
help teachers be intentional and focus
their efforts on the knowledge and
skills that all young children need to
acquire for success in preschool and,
later on, in school.
References
Center for Applied Special Technology
(CAST). 2007. Universal design for
learning. http://www.cast.org/udl/
(accessed June 8, 2007).
Eager to Learn: Educating Our Preschoolers.
2000. Edited by B. T. Bowman,
M. S. Donovan, and M. S. Burns. Washington,
DC: National Academy Press.
Early Learning Standards: Creating the
Conditions for Success. 2002. Washington,
DC: National Association for the
Education of Young Children.
From Neurons to Neighborhoods: The
Science of Early Childhood Development.
2000. Edited by J. P. Shonkoff and
D. A. Phillips. Washington, DC:
National Academy Press.
Scott-Little, C.; S. L. Kagan; and V. S.
Frelow. 2006. “Conceptualization of
Readiness and the Content of Early
Learning Standards: The Intersection
of Policy and Research?” Early Childhood
Research Quarterly, Vol. 21,
153–73.
Preschool Learning Foundations, Volume 1 • California Department of Education