ERIC Number: EJ729626
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2006
Pages: 13
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0020-7187
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Child-Centred Practice in Irish Infant Classrooms: A Case of Imaginary Play?
Murphy, Brian
International Journal of Early Childhood, v38 n1 p112-124 2006
This paper begins by outlining and discussing the fundamental elements of the process, child-centred model of curriculum, which has informed the two most recent Irish primary school curricula "Curaclam na Bunscoile" (1971 to 1999) and the "Primary School Curriculum" (1999 to date). The specific ways in which both Irish curricula embrace child-centred philosophy and practice are outlined. A clear picture emerges of the child-centred, activity-based classroom practice currently envisaged for Irish Infant classrooms. In the context of a "fidelity-type" study of curriculum implementation, which aimed to gauge the extent to which the child-centred curriculum guidelines are being implemented in classroom practice, the paper goes on to present the results of a nationwide questionnaire survey of Irish Infant teachers. The views, attitudes, and methodological practices of the teachers are analysed and discussed. The results of the survey would appear to indicate that most teachers are implementing a traditional, teacher-centred rather than activity-based, child-centred pedagogy in their classrooms. The paper concludes with a discussion of the factors, which appear to be preventing a more faithful implementation of the child-centred curriculum approach in Irish Infant classrooms. (Contains 1 table.)
Descriptors: Primary Education, Student Centered Curriculum, Elementary School Teachers, Teacher Surveys, Teacher Attitudes, Classroom Techniques, Theory Practice Relationship, Foreign Countries
OMEP: Organisation Mondiale pour l'Education Prescolaire, Goteborg University, Department of Education, Box 300, Goteborg, Sweden SE-40530. Tel: +46 317 732461; Fax: +46 317 732391; Web site: http://www.ped.gu.se/users/pramling/ijec/index.html.
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Primary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Ireland
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A