Goals of the Units of the "Curriculum Social Learning" in the Early Childhood Education in West Germany

This paper focuses characteristics of the "Social Learning Curriculum" created by the Preschool Education Department of the German Youth Institute and is a representative Kindergarten curriculum based on the situational approach that has spread in the early childhood education in West Germany since the 1970s. "Social Learning Curriculum" is composed of 27 units covering widely variable topics, from daily kindergarten events to social issues such as advertisement and garbage, and even death, which can be quite difficult for children to understand. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that the units refer to children under diverse backgrounds, such as children of foreign nationality, children in hospital, and children with disabilities. The following characteristics of the "Social Learning Curriculum" can be pointed out from the goals of each unit. First, the units are based on the image of a progressive child who actively changes the situation around her/him and takes the initiative in their activities. Second, the units regard that children should actively acquire the ability of conflict resolution as a skill. Third, the units encourage children to accept their anxiety positively. Fourth, the units propose education aiming at creation of inclusive society. Fifth, the goals of the units are not only directed to children but also partially to teachers and parents. Sixth, the units already propose following points of connection between kindergarten and elementary school, cooperation between kindergarten and home, interaction between children and the elderly and collaborative learning which are emphasized in the current Japanese "The National Curriculum Standard for Kindergartens".