Narrow- and broad-spectrum curricula: Two necessary parts of the special child’s program

Abstract

A narrow curriculum focuses educational stimulation right where it is needed-on the special child’s area of risk or disability. A broad curriculum supports the child’s general humanity by making available a comprehensive array of experiences. These two divergent approaches can be balanced in one program. In fact, when the child is under the age of 24 months, the two approaches should be completely fused. The demonstrated efficacy of the broad approach is hypothesized as deriving from the factors of attitude, contingency, and timing. Future research should test the effect of fused narrow and broad curricula for infants and very young children. © 1989 Aspen Publishers, Inc.