The major curriculum perspective include developmental, developmental cognitive, pre-academic or academic skills, behavioral and functional

An eclectic approach is when an educator uses one or more of the techniques and activities from a range of curriculum approaches and methodologies. The teacher decides what methodology or approach to use depending on the aims of the lesson and the learners in the group.

Developmental Approach; a traditional curriculum model that is based on theories of typical child development.

Developmental Cognitive Approach; based on the work of Piaget (cognitive development occurs as a result of physical growth and the child’s interactions with their environment.

Pre academic or Academic Approach; focuses on the traditional subject matter such as literacy, math, and science.  Non-academic skills that children need to acquire such as social skills and adaptive skills are not addressed.

Behavioral Approach; direct instruction through a prescribed sequence of instruction activities. The focus is on the identification of targeted behaviors with the application of direct instructional techniques desicn to increase or decrease certain behaviors.

Functional Approach; skills or behaviors are emphasized that have immediate relevance to a child.