Currículo en el nivel preescolar costarricense: El Ciclo Materno Infantil (CMI)

The present article tackles the conceptualization and description of the Infantile Maternal Cycle as p The present article tackles the conceptualization and description of the Infantile Maternal Cycle as part of the preschool level of the Costa Rican educational system. With the intention of having a wider vision of this Cycle, a revision is done for the curriculum concept, as well as, for the elements that shape it, and then there is a detailed description of specific aspects related to the preschool Costa Rican curriculum of the Infantile Maternal Cycle, taking as a starting point the Program of Study that was designed to attend the above Cycle in the Costa Rican educational system.

RESULTADOS DE LOS EVENTOS REALIZADOS EN LA ESCUELA

Este artículo muestra los resultados del estudio realizado en la Escuela de Bibliotecología, Documentación e Información de la Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica con estudiantes de grado y egresados de la carrera de bibliotecología y documentación.La propuesta se basa en el estudio teórico, el análisis del currículo aplicado, principios del modelo pedagógico de la Universidad Nacional y en la gestión curricular de la Escuela, durante los últimos cuatro años.

Learning math through movement: physical education as another alternative

The purpose of this study was to determine the cognitive effects of applying physical recreational activities to two groups of pre-school students, related to mathematics to one of the groups and recreational games to the other.  A total of 27 subjects (13 girls and 14 boys) of 5 and a half and 6 and half years of age participated in the study.  The instrument used was a questionnaire including basic math concepts such as geometry, basic operations with concrete elements, and how to read the clock, based on the topics established by the Costa Rican Ministry of Public Education.  Once the instrument was developed, a plan of physical recreational activities related to math was prepared and applied to the experimental group (pre-school B) for one and a half months, while the other group played recreational games.  Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.  Positive and significant effects were found in the physical recreational activity program regarding student performance in 10 of the 12 items that were applied to assess mastery of basic math concepts.  In conclusion, using physical education as another instrument to teach other disciplines represents an excellent alternative for pre-school teachers that try to satisfy the learning needs of children that will soon be attending school.  Using movement as part of guided and planned activities plays an indispensable role in children’s lives; therefore, learning academic subjects should be adapted to their needs to explore and know their environment.

Reflexiones en torno a la vinculación de la educación y el género

Recibido 18 de enero de 2011 • Aceptado 09 de marzo de 2011 • Corregido 05 de mayo de 2011   El siguiente artículo plantea una reflexión acerca de cómo la educación, desde la escuela, propicia, a partir del currículo oficial y del currículo oculto, una serie de elementos que tienden a hacer diferencias en cuanto a género. Además, se plantean una serie de aspectos tales como la televisión, las prácticas pedagógicas de los grupos de docentes, que inciden directamente en la discriminación sexista. Se muestran, también, algunas recomendaciones que aportan de investigadores para contrarrestar la discriminación por género. Finalmente se presentan las conclusiones.