Curtis & Carter, "Enhance the Curriculum with Materials"

This is something that you assume to be the case, even without proof. "Are there any assumptions, themes, or theories that the players seem to be centering their exploration around?"

This word means "conveying or expressing a meaning." "The expression on the child's face signifying his passion for this experience is infectious."

This adjective describes something that changes in size, strength, number, or nature.

. "The children in this program enthusiastically explore the vibrant colors, varying weights, and different sizes of pumpkins and other small gourds they see growing all around the farm valley where they live.

This is the act of searching for something. "When seeking new, engaging materials for children, it is useful to remember what you know about individuals in your group as well as their collective interests and developmental themes.

This is a quality or characteristic given to a person, group, or some other thing. Your best attribute might be your willingness to help others, like when you stopped traffic so the duck family could cross the street. "As you look more closely at the possibilities, you will be able to highlight the attributes of familiar materials by offering them in different combinations or within a special setting."

This verb means to come out into view or come forth. "The teacher looks forward to helping the children negotiate the new challenge that emerges as they head toward each other in the middle of the bridge."

If something is taken for (______), it's a given.

You can count on it. In fact, you are already counting on it. Most Canadians take for granted the right to vote. "They invented learning materials that today are often taken for granted and used without much thought.

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This adjective describes things that are basically the same, and is used to describe things that have the same effect, importance, or role. "What's the curricular equivalent of beautifully wrapping a present for a friend?"

This verb means to support something or keep it going. "They don't tap into children's deep desire to learn and hone their skills and aptitudes, nor do they cultivate sustained attention to their explorations."

This adjective describes when one thing represents something else that's more abstract. "With this connection to something familiar, [the children] begin to use the materials to symbolically stand for that idea or experience.

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This is something a person is able to do. "Inherent in these toys is the view that babies have limited capabilities or inner resources so they require attention-grabbing, over-stimulating, external experiences in order to stay interested in something."

This verb means to include or integrate a part into the whole. It is a more active version of the word "include." "Materials with familiar shapes or forms can be gathered to suggest the possibilities for their use.

Children are likely to incorporate these into a variety of play activities."

This is an expert who uses their knowledge as part of a profession. "Early childhood educators are indebted to the pioneering work of researchers and practitioners such as Friedrich Froebel, Rudolf Steiner, Maria Montessori, Caroline Pratt, and the educators from the schools of Reggio Emilia."

This verb means to expect something in an excited way.

"Do you eagerly anticipate what children might do with the materials you give to them?"

This is the clear (and often sudden) understanding of a complex situation. "As you reconsider these familiar materials and study the vigorous thinking of the above-named inventors and researchers, you might discover for yourself the deeper fascination and insight that informed their work."

This adjective describes something that is very important or necessary. An integral part is necessary to complete the whole.

"You can add liveliness, calm, complexity, and beauty to your curriculum by planning for these materials as an integral aspect of your days together."

This verb means to create something by putting it together. "In the first photo, the teacher has assembled a beginning construction on the tray to attract the children's focus and attention."

In the figurative sense, this means a tendency, or leaning, toward an idea. "Rather than just relying on naturally occurring aesthetic experiences, imagine how you could enhance children's instinctive inclination to notice aesthetic elements with more attention to them in your program."