Background: Local governments increasingly rely on sales taxes to raise revenue, often justifying the need for a local sales tax increase with a specific programmatic goal, such as better education or transportation. In Washington State, the legislature explained that a local sales tax increase was necessary to support criminal justice because…

This paper explores the development of the "ecological human brain" in children, children's intellectual culture of "naturalist intelligence," and developmentally and culturally congruent curricula for young children. In early cognitive development, nature-given perception conducts thought. In contrast, for adults, intellectual…

This paper examines the theories of Herman T. Epstein, who has suggested that there may be a correlation between Piaget's stages of intellectual development and the brain growth stages. Epstein's research has indicated that the human brain grows in spurts rather than in simple linear increments across time. Of special significance to educators is…

The ages between 10 and 14 years represent a period of transition between childhood and adolescence when feelings of confusion, anxiety, excitement, and frustration are widely experienced. During this period, early adolescents undergo major developmental changes. Educators working with these young people need accurate knowledge of early…

Argues that physical education can provide powerful contributions to an integrated curriculum approach. Explains how the theme of human interaction links social studies and physical education. Provides suggestions for integrating the two subjects in the primary grades, the middle elementary grades, and the upper elementary grades. (CFR)

Reviews the literature on the role of play in a young child's development and describes the development of a preschool play-based curriculum for children with disabilities. Distinguishes types of play and discusses important play spaces in the physical environment, adult/child interactions, accommodations to meet individual needs, and assessment.…

A review of recent sex education literature is presented in an attempt to integrate observations and recommendations related to both program development and innovation acceptance. A Developmental Research and Utilization Model is employed to systematically guide planning, implementation, evaluation, advocacy, and institutionalization. Curriculum…

A state-of-the-art report on music education in elementary schools. (CM)

Considers what research has revealed about the development of understanding by young children. Discusses what the "Curriculum Guidance for the Foundation Stage" of the national curriculum of the United Kingdom has to say in terms of that research. The published guidance makes it quite clear that the early years curriculum differs from…

The book is intended to link knowledge and application in early intervention services for very young disabled and at-risk children. An introductory chapter analyzes major issues and sources of controversy in the field: family support and the nature of early intervention, parental empowerment and involvement, the science of early intervention,…

This paper explores the research literature surrounding beliefs about children's play and the rationale for using play-based programming as part of early childhood special education practices. Discussions of recommended practices for educating or serving the needs of children typically refer to developmentally appropriate practice (DAP). DAP is…

Suggestions are made for providing a smoothly continuous learning experience for children from nursery school through the school years. (JD)

Provides background information on the development of NAEYC's position statements on developmentally appropriate practice and clarifies assumptions made by Kessler and others about NAEYC's positions. Offers justification for the developmentalist perspective and suggests an alternative argument for appropriate practice that draws on the strengths…

Study of kindergarten retention in Colorado reveals the following: (1) kindergarten retention does nothing to boost subsequent academic achievement; (2) regardless of what it is called, kindergarten retention creates a social stigma; and (3) kindergarten retention feeds the escalation of inappropriate academic demand in first grade. Policy…

One of 10 documents developed by the Regional Demonstration Program for Preschool Handicapped Children (New York), the curriculum model is intended to describe the means by which child development theory, empirical research data, and teacher experiential assumptions are integrated into the various phases of the curriculum. Individual sections…