Fatima Yousuf Al-Maadadi

Abstract

To better understand the effectiveness of any implemented early childhood curriculum, it is vital to pay attention to the experiences of early childhood educators who practiced that curriculum. The purpose of this research is to investigate early childhood educators' experiences with the Creative Curriculum that has been implemented at the Early Childhood Center of Qatar University since 2015. In this phenomenological research, the methodology includes: (a) in-depth phenomenologically based interviews, (b) follow-up online interviews, and (c) a focus group meeting with the teachers. Eight early childhood educators with a wide range of experiences presented their own experiences with the Creative Curriculum. The findings revealed that by implementing the Creative Curriculum, teachers were encouraged to integrate all aspects of the Curriculum. Teachers were inspired to pay close attention to their children’s physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development and to respond appropriately. This research provides insights and future implications about this specific curriculum in the early childhood field.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

##plugins.themes.bootstrap3.article.details##

Keywords

Creative Curriculum
Educators’ perspectives
Children
Early childhood education
Qatar

References
Bauman, M. L. (2012). Your successful preschooler: Ten traits children need to become confident and socially engaged. New York, NY: Wiley.
Borgatti, S. P. (1999). Elements of Research. Retrieved May 8, 2020, from: http://www.analytictech.com/mb313/elements.htm
Cannella, G. S. (1997). Deconstructing early childhood education: Social justice and revolution. New York: Peter Lang.
Cassidy, D., Mims, S., Rucker, L., & Boone, S. (2003). Emergent curriculum and kindergarten readiness. Childhood Education, 79(4), 194-199.
Creswell, J. & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Qualitative, Quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Sage.
Creswell, J. W. (1998). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five traditions. London: Sage.
Daymon, C., & Holloway, I. (2002). Qualitative research methods in public relations and marketing communications. London: Routledge.
Dodge, D. T., Colker, L. J., & Heroman, C. (2002). The Creative Curriculum for preschool. Washington, DC: Teaching Strategies.
Dodge, D., Heroman, C., Colker, L., & Bickart, T. (2010). The Creative Curriculum for preschool foundation. 5th ed., Bethesda, MD: Teaching Strategies.
Eason, R., Giannangelo, D., & Franceschini, L. (2009). A look at creativity in public and private schools. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 4(2), 130–137.
Edwards, C., Cline, K., Gandini, L., Giacomelli, A., Giovannini, D., & Galardini, A. (2014). Books, stories, and the imagination at “the nursery rhyme”: A qualitative case study of a preschool learning environment in Pistoia, Italy. Journal of Research in Childhood Education, 28(1), 18–42. doi:10.1080/02568543.2013.850131.
Graue, E. M. & Walsh, D. J. (1998). Studying children in context: Theories, methods, and ethics. London: Sage Publications.
Hamaidi, D. (2014). Teachers’ perceptions of developing thinking skills in Jordanian kindergartens. European Journal of Social Sciences, 42(2), 278-290.
Hamaidi, D. (2020). Early Childhood Educators’ Perceptions of the Creative Curriculum Extent of Implementation in Public Kindergarten Curriculum in Qatar. International Journal of Innovation, Creativity and Change, 4(4), 1160-1178.
Isbell, R. T., & Raines, S. C. (2007). Creativity and the arts with young children. Belmont, CA: Thompson.
Kincheloe, J. L. (2005). Critical constructivism. New York: Peter Lang.
Langley, G. J., Moen, R. D., Nolan, K. M., Nolan, T. W., Norman, C. L., & Provost, L. P. (2009). The improvement guide: A practical approach to enhancing organizational performance. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Lewis, C. (2015). What is improvement science? Do we need it in education? Educational Researcher, 44(1), 54 –61. DOI: 10.3102/0013189X15570388
Lincoln, Y., & Guba, E. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry. Beverly Hills: SAGE Publication.
Lunenburg, F. (2011). Curriculum Models for Preschool Education: Theories and Approaches to Learning in the Early Years. Schooling, 2(1), 1-6.
Miller, L. (2011). Theories and approaches to learning in the early years. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Obekan. (2012). Creative Curriculum for pre-school. Riyadh, KSA: Obekan for Education.
Qatar University (2020). Early learning unit, from: http://www.qu.edu.qa/education/centers/early-childhood-center/early-childhood-center-units/early-learning-unit
Seidman, I. (2006). Interviewing as qualitative research: A guide for researchers in education and the social sciences. 3rd ed., New York: Teachers College Press.
Teaching Strategies (2010). Research foundation: language and literacy. Retrieved on January 5, 2019, from: https://www2.teachingstrategies.com/content/pageDocs/Research-Foundation-Language-Literacy.pdf
Teaching Strategies (2016). The Creative Curriculum for preschool touring guide. Retrieved on January 5, 2019, from: https://teachingstrategies.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/The-Creative-Curriculum-for-Preschool-Touring-Guide.pdf
Wood, E. (2009). Play and playfulness in the early years foundation stage. In A. Wilson (Ed.), Creativity in primary education. 2nd ed., Exeter: Learning Matters.
Zanartu, C., Doerr, P., & Portman, J. (2016). Teaching 21 thinking skills for the 21st century: The MiCOSA model. (D. A. Hamaidi, Trans.). Amman, Jordan: Dar Al-Fikr.
How to Cite
Al-Maadadi, Fatima Yousuf. 2024. “Implications of the Creative Curriculum from the Perspectives of Educators in Qatar University Early Childhood Center”. Journal of Educational Sciences – Qatar University 23 (23). https://doi.org/10.29117/jes.2023.0147.
Section
Articles in English