Description
One-Year Pre-Primary (Nursery) Education Curriculum and Teachers’ Guide
This comprehensive One-Year Pre-Primary (Nursery) Education Curriculum and Teachers’ Guide is designed to support the effective implementation of pre-primary education in Nigeria.
Developed by the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) and supported by UNICEF, the curriculum provides teachers, caregivers, parents and early-years education providers with a structured framework for preparing young children for a smooth transition into primary school.
The edition was first published in 2016, reprinted in 2018 and reviewed in 2024.
The curriculum emphasizes play-based and child-centred learning, using activities such as play, songs, rhymes, stories, creative activities, exploration and guided interaction to support the holistic development of young learners.
What the Curriculum Covers
The curriculum is organised around six major developmental domains:
- Physical Development
- Social and Emotional Development
- Cognitive Development
- Language Development
- Creative Art
- National Values and Consciousness
These domains are treated as interconnected areas of child development, with activities designed to help children build the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours required for successful learning.
Inside the Curriculum
The document includes developmental indicators, sample classroom activities, suggested teaching and learning resources, and assessment approaches for different areas of development.
Topics and skills covered include:
Physical Development
Gross motor development, fine motor skills, body coordination, balance, safety and security, sensory development and manipulation of objects.
Social and Emotional Development
Interaction with other children and adults, self-concept, resilience, emotional expression, cooperation and social relationships.
Cognitive Development
Numbers and counting, simple addition and subtraction, classification, measurement, patterns, exploration and scientific thinking.
Language Development
Listening, speaking, alphabet awareness, phonological awareness, print awareness, story comprehension, pre-writing and writing.
Creative Art
Visual art, performance activities, exploration of the environment, climate awareness and early technology experiences.
National Values and Consciousness
Family and society, acceptable behaviour, mutual respect, citizenship, cultural traditions, religion, notable places in Nigeria, and national heroes and heroines.
Teachers’ Guide Included
The second part of the publication contains a detailed Teachers’ Guide explaining how the curriculum can be implemented effectively in the classroom.
It covers areas such as:
- Understanding the One-Year Pre-Primary Education Curriculum
- Play-based teaching methods
- Activity-based learning
- Daily classroom routines
- Opening and closing circle activities
- Free play and learning areas
- Teacher-guided activities
- Outdoor activities
- Play-based lesson planning
- Teaching and learning resources
- Assessment in pre-primary education
The guide also provides practical examples and resources that can help teachers organise meaningful learning experiences rather than relying only on traditional classroom instruction.
Useful for
This resource is suitable for:
- Pre-primary and nursery school teachers
- Early childhood educators
- School owners and administrators
- Caregivers
- Parents supporting early learning at home
- Education students and trainee teachers
- Lesson-plan developers
- Curriculum coordinators
- Schools implementing the Nigerian national curriculum
The curriculum is intended particularly to help prepare children around age five for formal schooling, while making learning flexible and practical for teachers, parents and caregivers.
Additional Resources Included
The publication also contains useful supporting materials, including:
- Activity Bank
- Play Dough and Finger Paint Recipes
- Pre-Primary Child Development Checklist
- Child Development Report Card
- Sample teaching and learning materials
- Sample play-based lesson plans
Download Information
File Type: PDF
Pages: 157
Cost: FREE
Publisher: Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC)
Edition: Reviewed 2024
A valuable reference for anyone teaching or implementing the One-Year Pre-Primary Education Curriculum in Nigeria.
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