Emergent Curriculum at WMS

Emergent Curriculum is a response to the teacher’s observations of their learners’ natural curiosities. Rather than relying on a predetermined curriculum, it is a child-centered approach to learning that is influenced by the children’s interests and wonderings. Teachers are co-constructors. They learn alongside the children, lending expertise and guiding them during the learning process. 

At WMS, our blended Montessori and Reggio Emilia approach supports emergent curriculum beautifully. By honoring the prepared environments of our classrooms and children’s natural instincts to explore, we create space for them to discover. Listening closely to children, documenting and displaying their work, and revisiting previous projects all inform our practice. Observation and documentation do not simply reflect the learning, but guide what is next. 

While the teachers are always carefully observing throughout classroom work time, observing in spaces like the gym, Lab Room, and our Movement and Drama studio, are also times where teachers can keep an eye out for learners' interests and common themes in play. 

An important part of an emergent curriculum is building on what children are thinking about and experiencing in their everyday lives. A recent example of this is the weather that we have been experiencing this winter. In one classroom, conversations have expanded into daily weather check-ins, a child created a “weather words” wall, and a discussion about seasons. Weather works have been added to their shelves. Another classroom observed that their learners loved working on self-portraits, and added a self-portrait work, making that work accessible at all times throughout the day. One classroom has worked on creating and building upon a forest in their classroom, which was sparked by a conversation about apples! 

Emergent curriculum reminds us that when we follow children’s curiosity with intention and care, their everyday questions naturally grow into meaningful, connected, and joyful learning experiences.