Summary of "دورة المنهج الوطني في رياض الاطفال"

Summary of the Video: “دورة المنهج الوطني في رياض الاطفال”

(The National Curriculum Course in Kindergartens)

Main Ideas and Concepts

This video is a detailed training session on the National Curriculum for Kindergartens in Saudi Arabia, presented over three days. The focus is on understanding the curriculum’s foundations, goals, characteristics, and implementation strategies, particularly for early childhood educators. The course emphasizes a child-centered, play-based, and inquiry-driven approach aligned with Saudi national values and global perspectives.

Detailed Outline of Concepts and Lessons

1. Introduction to the National Curriculum in Kindergartens

Saudi Arabia has prioritized early childhood education since 1406 AH, involving the Ministry of Education, local universities, and international organizations like UNESCO.
The curriculum is built on self-learning and learning through play, supported by educational theories.
Kindergarten was officially integrated into the national education ladder in 1431 AH.
The curriculum aims to build the child’s religious, national, and international identity.
The course is structured over three days covering:
- Day 1: Curriculum definition, goals, characteristics, and pillars.
- Day 2: Developmental standards, physical environment, curriculum theories, teacher’s role.
- Day 3: Unit planning, daily preparation, family role.

2. Definition and Foundations of the National Curriculum

Targets children from birth to six years.
Focuses on developing the child’s personality across multiple fields:
- Cognitive
- Linguistic
- Emotional
- Social
- Physical
Based on inquiry strategy: children learn by asking questions, exploring, and discovering answers themselves.
Emphasizes learning through play and sensory engagement (touch, hearing, sight).
Highlights the importance of family-school partnership to support child development through complementary activities.

3. Goals of the National Curriculum

Develop the child’s personality holistically (all fields mentioned above).
Foster scientific research skills and higher-order thinking (critical thinking, problem-solving).
Promote self-learning and individual differences.
Strengthen family involvement in education.
Encourage the child to infer and discover knowledge independently.
Support talents through multiple intelligences.

4. Cognitive Development Goals

Enhance thinking, searching, remembering, applying, critical thinking, problem-solving, and self-learning.
Examples of activities to develop critical thinking:
- Presenting problems (e.g., a lamp with a short wire) to stimulate questioning and solutions.
- Group discussions and story-based moral questioning.
Problem-solving process includes:
- Recognizing the problem.
- Analyzing it.
- Setting goals.
- Innovating multiple solutions.
- Evaluating and implementing solutions.

5. Self-Learning Support

Create stimulating and supportive environments.
Provide diverse learning resources: books, stories, cognitive games, videos (supervised).
Use scientific experiments and arithmetic games with tangible tools.
Encourage linguistic activities: storytelling, role-playing, language games, writing simple words or letters.

6. Linguistic Development Goals

Develop Arabic language skills and communication.
Use simple Arabic with short sentences and pauses for better comprehension.
Read stories in Arabic, explaining difficult words.
Encourage verbal expression, understanding feelings, and effective communication.
Use open-ended questions to promote dialogue and language acquisition.

7. Social and Emotional Development Goals

Build self-confidence, communication, cooperation, and friendship skills.
Use group activities and cooperative projects to foster teamwork.
Teach conflict resolution through guided discussion and problem-solving.
Include social activities like community visits (hospitals, mosques).
Help children express feelings and understand emotions.
Normalize feelings and guide appropriate behavioral responses.

8. Physical Development Goals

Develop gross and fine motor skills through activities like jumping, climbing, pen-holding, and ball games.
Promote general health: nutrition, sleep quality, hygiene, and physical activity.
Encourage healthy eating habits and model good behavior as teachers.
Use meal times to reinforce physical and social goals.

9. Value Development Goals

Instill religious values: love of God and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), faith, and moral teachings.
Promote national values: love of homeland, belonging, respect for the flag and heritage.
Foster moral values: honesty, trustworthiness, respect.
Use religious stories, songs, and activities linked to religious occasions (Ramadan, Eid).
Use national celebrations (Founding Day, National Day) to nurture patriotism.
Teachers act as role models in behavior and ethics.

10. Characteristics of the National Curriculum

Child-centered and self-activity based.
Emphasizes learning through play and discovery.
Curriculum is diversified, organized, gradual, balanced, and comprehensive.
Balances free and organized activities, individual and group work, intellectual and recreational activities.
Provides freedom of choice to children to build self-confidence and responsibility.
Takes into account individual differences and readiness levels.
Stimulates curiosity, research, and experimentation.

11. Pillars of the National Curriculum

Islamic Education

Rooted in faith and love of God and the Prophet.
Builds moral values like cooperation, tolerance, humility.
Respects child rights: life, nutrition, love, justice, education, play.
Answers children’s religious questions appropriately.
Integrates Islamic values throughout daily activities.
Uses religious stories, songs, and contemplation of creation.
Encourages parent participation in religious activities.

National Identity

Multi-level structure: knowledge, beliefs, emotions about the nation.
Includes awareness of Saudi geography, culture, customs.
Encourages respect for national symbols and pride.
Uses maps, stories, materials reflecting Saudi heritage.
Develops understanding of historical sequences and respect for nature.
Promotes decision-making and respect for others in the classroom.

International Thought

Recognizes global interconnectedness and cultural diversity.
Encourages tolerance, justice, peace, and reduces prejudice.
Supports analytical and critical thinking skills.
Develops flexibility, innovation, creativity, and problem-solving.
Teacher’s role includes modeling respect for diversity and encouraging dialogue.
Supports acceptance of different viewpoints.
Encourages family participation in fostering international awareness.

12. Role of the Teacher

Facilitator of inquiry and self-learning.
Builder of family-school partnerships.
Role model in behavior, language, and ethics.
Planner of activities integrating Islamic, national, and international values.
Encourages child’s freedom, choice, and responsibility.
Supports children’s emotional and social needs.
Uses real-life situations to reinforce curriculum goals.

Speakers and Sources Featured

Sarah Al-Jawzi: Educational supervisor and certified trainer from the General Organization for Technical and Vocational Training and Al-Mubdi’un Center at King Abdulaziz University. She is the main presenter and trainer throughout the course.
Participants/Trainees: Various early childhood educators who interact during the session by answering questions and sharing ideas. Names mentioned include Asmaa, Nahla, Waad, Rahaf, Fatima, Laila, Amani, Reham, Balsam, Hanin, and Faiza.

Summary

The video is a comprehensive training session aimed at kindergarten teachers in Saudi Arabia to deepen their understanding of the National Curriculum. It emphasizes a holistic, child-centered approach grounded in Islamic values, national identity, and international openness. The curriculum fosters cognitive, linguistic, social-emotional, physical, and value-based development through play, inquiry, and family involvement. Teachers are encouraged to be facilitators, role models, and partners with families to nurture well-rounded children prepared for future educational stages and global citizenship.