Kindergarten curriculum: enrichment and improvishment

Abstract

‘Kindergarten Enrichment’ is a relatively new type of early childhood service in the United States, that aims to provide curriculum enrichment for 5‐6 years olds and at the same time, extends the half‐day kindergarten program into a normal school day length. At least in relatively affluent neighbourhoods such as the one studied in this project, ‘kindergarten enrichment’ programs might be seen as a ‘win‐win‐win’ arrangement. However, there are interesting questions in the relationship between the ‘basic’ kindergarten curriculum and the ‘enrichment1 component. As these questions are explored, the evolution of the kindergarten curriculum is traced and the contextual features that have shaped the academic curriculum approach currently favoured, are examined. It is concluded that whilst kindergarten enrichment programs may be an unlikely receptacle for the wisdom of child‐responsive curriculum practice, the presence on school campuses of a child‐centered program may be a useful way to re‐enrich the regular kin...