Curricular Ethics in Early Childhood Education Programming: A challenge to the Ontario Kindergarten Program

Authors

  • Rachel M. Heydon University of Western Ontario
  • Ping Wang Utahloy International School - Zeng Chen

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Through a case study of a key Canadian early childhood education program, The Kindergarten Program (Ontario Ministry of Education and Training, 1998a), we explore the relationship between curricular paradigms and early childhood education (ECE) models, and the opportunities that each creates for enacting ethical teaching and learning relationships. We position the “cult of efficiency᾿ (Stein, 2001) as the antithesis of ethical ECE, and we forward suggestions for enabling teachers to consider the kind of person they must become in order to develop a nonviolative relationship with young children (Cornell, 1992).

Author Biographies

Rachel M. Heydon, University of Western Ontario

RACHEL M. HEYDON, assistant professor in the Faculty of Education, University of Western Ontario, researches intergenerational learning, children who have been identified as struggling students and early literacy. She has published articles in a variety of curriculum and language and literacy journals including The Journal of Curiculum Studies, The Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy, and The Journal of Early Childhood Research.

Ping Wang, Utahloy International School - Zeng Chen

PING WANG, a recent graduate of the Masters of Education program in the Faculty of Education, University of Western Ontario, researches early childhood educational programs, curricula and policy. She lives in China, teaching Chinese and ESL at Utahloy International School – Zeng Chen.

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Published

2006-11-11

How to Cite

Heydon, R. M., & Wang, P. (2006). Curricular Ethics in Early Childhood Education Programming: A challenge to the Ontario Kindergarten Program. McGill Journal of Education / Revue Des Sciences De l’éducation De McGill, 41(1). Retrieved from https://mje.mcgill.ca/article/view/508

Issue

Vol. 41 No. 1 (2006)

Section

Articles