Play, Participation and Possibilities: An Early Learning and Child Care Curriculum for Alberta

Location: Alberta, CA

Authors: Makovichuck, L., Hewes, J., Lirette, P., and Thomas, N.

Play, Participation, and Possibilities: An Early Learning and Child Care Curriculum Framework for Alberta is inspired by a vision of strong, active, and energetic childhood communities that welcome and invite the participation of children and their families. It is a framework of possibilities situated in the social and cultural experiences of families in local communities. Each child’s care, play, learning, and development are nurtured as educators work within a practice of relationships, appreciating family, social, and cultural practices and traditions and embracing a strong capable image of the child, as a mighty learner and citizen.

The curriculum framework is a flexible framework for thinking about how children learn and experience their worlds, as well as a guide that fosters strong early childhood communities in Alberta. The framework recognizes, appreciates and values the practice of relationships among educators, children, and families that make visible the uniqueness of each child care program in Alberta, the co-constructed nature of early learning curriculum, and the search for a shared professional language.

The purpose of Play, Participation and Possibilities is to articulate a set of holistic play-based goals for children’s learning and care; to nurture children’s dispositions to learn; to work with families in the care and learning of their children; and to engage educators as co-learners, co-researchers, and co- imaginers of possibilities with high regard for children’s potential.

The curriculum framework is not mandatory for child care and early learning programs in Alberta, but is available to educators who want to voluntarily engage with the idea and concepts as a way to support their evolving practices, planning and provisions for young children’s learning.

For more information, visit the Play, Participation and Possibilities: An Early Learning and Child Care Curriculum for Alberta website.