The Jamaica Early Childhood Curriculum for Children Birth to Five

Toddlers are provided the opportunity to choose their activities
A developmentally appropriate programme supports individuality and makes plans to ensure that children
are not always subject to the considerations of the large group. This is particularly important in day care
settings. Therefore group size and adult-to-child ratio should be maintained at a level that allows the adult
to give the individualized attention that each child requires on a daily basis.
The learning environment provides a range of activities appropriate to the developmental levels
of individual children, so that their needs can be addressed. The child should be made to feel accepted
for who he or she is and should never be compared to others or pressured to achieve beyond his or her
natural ability. Some practitioners work in challenging circumstances with more children in a group than
is desirable. However, in such circumstances, making each child feel that he or she is a special individual
is not an impossible task. Getting to know each child well allows the practitioner to devote time relative
to a child’s particular need. Some children are happy with a simple acknowledging touch or smile from
the adult, whereas others need further reassuring hugs and conversation. Recognizing and responding to
children’s individual needs is particularly important for young infants, toddlers and children with special
developmental and learning needs. Also, practitioners must be mindful of the gender differences in how
children learn, their interests and performance levels. They must be sensitive to the difference in the
learning needs and styles of boys (who generally tend to have lower achievement rates than girls) and try
to keep them focused and motivated to learn. However, girls and boys alike must be encouraged to pursue
their individual interests and engage in learning activities without the limitations imposed by gender
stereotyping.
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