Part 1: Design an Early Childhood Program

To complete this part of the assignment, do the following:

1. In a minimum of two pages, discuss program philosophy and age(s) of children:
   1. Discuss the setting and philosophy, explaining the educator’s role in play practices and activities.
   2. Designate one age group to focus on (if designing a mixed-age program, describe the number of children and their age ranges).
   3. Include at least three sources of information to support your program philosophy. One portion of information should come from a scholarly resource (a journal or peer reviewed article). Be sure to cite your sources and list them on an APA formatted reference page.
2. Design a visual of your classroom layout, including learning centers:

a.Include the physical room/environment plan and structure. Use Microsoft PowerPoint or other presentation software/webware to illustrate where you will place your stations and centers, clearly labeling each area. Be sure to include visual elements such as word art, clip art, or placed images.

b.List at least two materials for EACH of the following centers, or supplies to have on hand for activities in the following learning areas. (This information can go in your existing written document.)

3.

1. 1. 1. • Literacy
         • Math
         • Sensory
         • Art
         • Science
         • Music and movement
         • Dramatic play
         • Outdoor play
   2. Design a daily schedule:
      1. Create a sample schedule that clearly displays times for each activity/routine and details about which activities happen throughout the day.
      2. Indicate at least three points on the schedule that will require you to help transition learners from one activity to the next.
      3. Describe in detail how you will communicate to children that a change in activities is coming.
      4. Explain how each transition can help them as they move from one activity to the next.

Part 2: Create a Thematic Web and an Activity Guide
To complete this part of the assignment, first download the following two assignment templates:

Thematic Web Template

Activity Guide Template

Next, do the following:

1. 1. Choose a curriculum theme. Be sure to choose a theme that will allow you to create developmentally appropriate activities, based on the age group(s) you focused on in Part 1.
   2. Use the thematic web template download to create a weekly lesson plan that illustrates how you will integrate your theme into different learning areas.
      • List your age group and theme in the center of the web.
      • Use the “branches” of the web to indicate six different activities you will offer. Each activity should involve a different learning center (refer to the eight possible learning centers listed in Part 1).
   3. Choose ONE of the activities listed in your thematic web/lesson plan to focus on. Describe the activity in detail by filling out the activity guide template download.