What is Emergent Curriculum in Early Childhood Education? 

*First published January, 2022
*Updated January, 2025

Emergent curriculum is a dynamic and child-centered approach to early childhood education and curriculum planning that prioritizes children’s interests, natural curiosity, and evolving developmental needs. Unlike traditional methods which can be more rigid in nature, the emergent curriculum philosophy offers a flexible and responsive approach to the early childhood classroom. Within the emergent curriculum, young children are treated as active participants within the classroom, fully immersed in creating their educational experiences.

In early childhood settings that adopt the emergent curriculum philosophy, classrooms come alive with exploration, creativity, and collaboration. This approach often aligns with the Reggio Emilia approach, which emphasizes inquiry-based learning and the role of the teacher as a co-learner and facilitator.

What children learn does not follow as an automatic result from what is taught, rather, it is in large part due to the children’s own doing, as a consequence of their activities and our resources.
—Loris Malaguzzi, The Hundred Languages of Children

What is Emergent Curriculum in Early Childhood Education?

Emergent curriculum is rooted in the understanding that children learn best when their interests, strengths, needs, and lived experiences are taken into account. This approach allows educators to craft meaningful learning experiences tailored to individual and group dynamics. By observing children throughout their daily routines, educators identify key developmental needs and provide activities that align with specific age groups. As children practice and master foundational skills, educators introduce more complex tasks to challenge their abilities. This cycle of learning and growth fosters confidence, helping children see themselves as capable and competent learners.

A core aspect of emergent curriculum is its focus on fostering positive relationships within the classroom, where both adults and children actively shape curriculum decisions. Educators thoughtfully balance children’s natural curiosity with their professional understanding of essential developmental needs, creating a collaborative and dynamic planning process. Curriculum ideas emerge organically from the combined interests, questions, and needs of children, educators, and even parents, making the approach highly responsive to the unique context of the environment and the specific group at hand. This shared collaboration not only enriches the classroom culture but also ensures it reflects the diverse values, priorities, and contributions of everyone involved.

Benefits of Emergent Curriculum

The emergent curriculum approach offers numerous benefits in a young child’s learning. Here are some of the key reasons why this approach is so impactful in the education of young children:

1. Curriculum follows the children’s interests: By centering program development around children’s interests, emergent curriculum creates learning opportunities that feel natural, engaging, and relevant to young learners. When children explore topics they are genuinely curious about, their motivation to learn increases, and they are more likely to participate actively in classroom activities. This interest-driven approach encourages deeper exploration, as well as opportunity for critical-thinking and decision making.
2. Classroom is Responsive and Flexible: Every child has unique strengths and abilities, and emergent curriculum provides the flexibility to recognize and build upon these qualities. Whether a child excels in storytelling, constructing with blocks, or observing nature, the curriculum is tailored to highlight and nurture these talents. This personalized approach allows children to take an active part in their own learning, fostering self-confidence and helping them to feel valued and capable within the child care center.
3. High-value is placed on building and sustaining relationships: By integrating elements of children’s home and family experiences, emergent curriculum creates a seamless connection between the classroom and the child’s everyday life. This connection makes learning more meaningful and relatable, helping children see the relevance of their activities. It also allows educators to incorporate cultural practices, traditions, and family dynamics into the learning environment, enriching the curriculum with diverse perspectives.
4. All Learning Styles are Supported: Emergent curriculum accommodates the varied learning styles and developmental needs of each child. Educators can adapt lesson plans to include hands-on, auditory, or visual activities based on how individual children learn best. This adaptability ensures that no child is left behind, as the curriculum evolves to meet the diverse needs of the group, providing equitable opportunities for growth and success.
5. Creates an Inclusive Classroom: One of the most significant benefits of emergent curriculum is its ability to celebrate and embrace inclusion and diversity. By incorporating children’s unique backgrounds, cultures, development levels and lived experiences into the curriculum, educators create an inclusive environment where every child feels seen and valued. This approach helps children develop a strong sense of identity and respect for others, laying the foundation for empathy and global citizenship.

Emergent curriculum not only adapts to the needs of young children but also empowers them to take ownership of their learning journey.

The Role of the Teacher in an Emergent Curriculum Classroom

In an emergent curriculum classroom, the teacher takes on the role of a facilitator, guide, and observer, shifting from a traditional top-down teaching approach to a more collaborative and responsive one. This approach requires educators to be flexible, attentive, and deeply attuned to the needs and interests of the children in their care. Here are the key aspects of a teacher’s role in this environment:

1. Observer and Listener. Teachers begin by observing children’s play, conversations, and interactions to identify emerging interests, questions, and developmental needs. They listen carefully to what topics of interest children express verbally and nonverbally, and then use these observations to inform curriculum planning. This ongoing assessment ensures that the activities and learning opportunities are tailored to the unique dynamics of the classroom.
2. Facilitator of Learning. Instead of dictating what children will learn, an early education teacher will act as a facilitator who supports and guides children’s exploration. They provide materials, resources, and prompts that encourage inquiry-based learning and critical thinking. For example, if children express curiosity about insects, the teacher might introduce magnifying glasses, books about bugs, or an outdoor activity to explore a garden.
3. Co-Learner and Collaborator. Teachers in an emergent curriculum classroom position themselves as active participants in children’s learning. They collaborate with children, engaging in brainstorming sessions, asking open-ended questions, and showing curiosity alongside them. This shared experience helps build trust and fosters a sense of community within the classroom.
4. Curriculum Planner and Adaptable Strategist. While emergent curriculum is child-led, teachers play a critical role in curriculum planning. They create a flexible framework that aligns with children’s interests and developmental goals while also incorporating essential skills and knowledge. Teachers must be prepared to adapt their plans as children’s curiosity evolves, ensuring that learning opportunities remain relevant and engaging.
5. Bridge Between Home and Classroom. Educators maintain strong communication with families, inviting parents to share insights about their child’s interests, culture, and routines. This partnership with parents helps teachers design a curriculum that reflects the child’s life outside of the classroom, creating a more meaningful and inclusive classroom environment.
6. Professional Learner. Teachers in an emergent curriculum classroom are committed to their own professional development. They continually seek new strategies, resources, and approaches to enrich their teaching practice. Engaging in professional development courses, networking with peers, and staying informed about child development and early learning research allows educators to refine their role and provide the best possible learning environment for young children and families.

Looking for professional development? At Lillio (formerly HiMama), we support early childhood professionals in implementing emergent curriculum through research-backed, expert-designed, and on-demand professional development. Our courses are tailored to help educators grow their skills and enhance the learning experiences they create for young children. Explore Lillio Academy here!

How Emergent Curriculum Supports Child Development

Emergent curriculum seamlessly integrates with best practices in early childhood education, offering comprehensive support for children’s overall development by:

• Encouraging critical thinking and problem-solving through inquiry-based learning.
• Fostering language development and communication skills through collaborative activities.
• Promoting emotional growth by allowing children to explore their feelings in a safe and supportive environment.
• Supporting motor skills and creativity through hands-on projects and play.
• Encouraging personal growth, autonomy, and trust in their decisions by treating children as active partners in the learning process. When children feel seen, valued, and empowered in the classroom, their self-worth grows, and they develop confidence in their abilities and ideas.

By focusing on the individual child’s interests and strengths, emergent curriculum creates a child-led, inclusive learning experience that values each learner as an active participant in their own education.

Conclusion

Emergent curriculum is a powerful approach that transforms early childhood settings into vibrant learning environments full of exploration, curiosity, and growth.

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