Emergent curriculum is a dynamic and responsive approach to early childhood education that begins with one simple idea: children are capable, curious learners. At Moranbah Early Learning Centre, we build our curriculum around children’s interests, strengths, questions, and discoveries. Instead of following a rigid, pre-planned program, our educators observe, document, and engage with children to co-create meaningful and relevant learning experiences.
For example, suppose a group of children becomes interested in insects. In that case, our educators might read books about bugs, take a nature walk to search for them, and even invite an entomologist to visit the centre. This inquiry-based approach allows us to explore literacy by labelling insect parts, numeracy through counting legs or sorting species, and science through learning about life cycles and habitats. These learning experiences develop naturally, guided by children’s engagement and curiosity.
This approach is strongly aligned with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), which encourages educators to be intentional while remaining flexible. It supports child-led exploration while also ensuring children engage in rich, purposeful learning experiences (https://www.education.gov.au/early-years-learning-framework-0). Emergent curriculum fosters a strong sense of agency, encourages critical thinking, and promotes collaboration among children and educators. It also supports inclusive practices by adapting learning to suit each child’s cultural background, developmental stage, and learning style.
At Moranbah Early Learning Centre, our educators document learning through photographs, written observations, and reflective journals. These insights are shared with families through learning portfolios and regular updates, helping parents to understand how their child’s interests are shaping their educational journey.
Emergent curriculum is learning that grows and evolves. It is shaped by children’s ideas, enriched by educators’ expertise, and inspired by the world around us. At Moranbah Early Learning Centre, we are proud to offer a curriculum that honours children as active participants in their learning every day.
