The Primary School Curriculum: Introduction provides an overview of the curriculum for children in primary schools from junior infants to sixth class. It explains how the curriculum is presented for the different levels and explains the importance of integration and the development of the child in all dimensions of his or her life – spiritual, moral, cognitive, emotional, imaginative, aesthetic, social and physical.
Chapter 1 sets out the aims, principles and defining features of the curriculum for primary schools.
Chapter 2 looks at children and learning and identifies the principles of learning. The role of the teacher, the role of the parent, the role of management and the school within the local community are explored.
Chapter 3 focuses on key issues in primary education, for example quality in education, children with special needs, literacy and numeracy, a sense of Irish identity and the Irish language, the spiritual dimension, the European and global dimensions, equality and fairness of access, science education, and ICT. It also highlights early childhood education, the transition from primary to post-primary and life-long learning.
Chapter 4 explores the specific aims and general objectives of the curriculum.
Chapter 5 gives details of the structure of the curriculum and includes an overview of the curriculum areas and the importance of the holistic development of the child.
Chapter 6 provides an explanation of curriculum implementation and time allocation in the curriculum.