Characteristics of Child-Centered curriculum:
The following are the main characteristics of Child-Centered Curriculum:
It is organized around the child, his personal needs and interests which are socially derived.
Child’s own interests facilitate learning. Curriculum aims at progressive promotion of knowledge.
Subject matter is selected and organized according to teaching-learning situation. This helps in the growth of life- related skills.
There is no too much of structuring of courses. There is participatory organization of content, the parents and learners being equal participants.
The emphasis in curriculum framing is on matters which are useful for the present as well as future also.
Flexibility is the hall-mark of curriculum organization. Multiple and varied resources for pupils of different interests and abilities are tapped and material so accumulated is incorporated.
Stress is on integrated learning of habits and skills.
Child-centered curriculum really ‘draws out’ what is best in the child. It provides him expanded exposure.
Education is viewed as an all-round growth of the learner.
According to J.C. Agarwal, “To teach in a classroom characterized by the student-centered approach, requires that teachers must know a great deal about the growth and development of children and youth.”
