Child-Centred Curriculum Integration in Theory and Practice

This chapter explores child-centred curriculum integration. It discusses the development of a theory of child-centred curriculum integration underpinned by principles of democratic education according to US American philosopher John Dewey. It explains that a democratic approach to education assumes that children should learn how to become active and productive citizens; thus, the teacher and children need to collaborate to co-create the classroom curriculum. The chapter goes on to discuss historical and contemporary examples of child-centred CI practice in Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ). Early examples of child-centred CI were inspired by the progressive ‘New Education’ movement and underpinned by Dewey’s democratic education. Contemporary examples of child-centred CI have been inspired by US American educator James A. Beane. The chapter explains that the NZ practice indicates that, at the local level, child-centred CI needs favourable conditions for implementation in classrooms and schools and that, at the systemic level, child-centred CI needs to be supported by an educational culture that remains open to progressive ideas. The chapter concludes that the NZ experience suggests that a strategic and considered approach to the implementation of child-centred CI is wise.