A developmentally appropriate curriculum should be an integral part of the written education and early childhood development services plan for every Head Start Program. Curriculum implementation is an ongoing process that includes developing a plan, orientating staff and families to the framework and its components, and providing continuous…

Defines the position of the Association for Childhood Education International on the role of kindergarten in a child's development. Provides specific information on the purpose of kindergarten, program goals, program content, program implementation, role of play, appropriate physical environment, textbook and material selection, kindergarten…

Discusses nine common myths, which represent collective opinions based on false assumptions or are the product of fallacious reasoning, associated with developmentally appropriate programs for young children. (BB)

The educational objective of the Russian "Development" curriculum for children ages 3-7 is the development of creative and intellectual abilities. Theoretical foundations for the curriculum include the works of Vygotsky, Venger, Leontev, and Zaporozhets, which offer ideas such as: (1) child development is the unity of affective and…

The field of early childhood education has long been marked by intense controversy concerning appropriate curriculum and teaching methods and goals. This paper explores some implications of the traditional dichotomies of the field and suggests that while there are many reasons to resist the side that advocates formal academic instruction, it does…

Maintains that the meaningful use of projects necessitates knowledgeable and reflective teachers with the autonomy to make intellectually honest curricular decisions in the best interest of each child. (BB)

Reflects on Head Start's beginnings, its goal of enhancing children's social competence, and errors associated with the incorporation of evaluation measures and curricula that are cognitive in orientation into its programs. Concludes that such errors must not recur. Evaluation measures and curricula must reflect concern for the child's whole…

Discusses the importance of using developmentally appropriate practices in early childhood classrooms, especially in teaching gifted students. Describes characteristics of young gifted children, emphasizing their advanced abilities in specific domains. Concludes that educators need to understand each child as a unique individual and should strive…

This paper outlines 22 principles of practice that serve as criteria by which to judge the developmental appropriateness of an early childhood curriculum. The principles lead to the assertion that young children as learners are greatly supported when a "project approach" is used--e.g., when their early childhood education experience…

The curriculum guide presented in this paper promotes a nurturing environment that facilitates the development of the total child. The program is designed to be used by teachers, administrators, and parents in both public and private school settings. The philosophy of the program is experimentalist-cognitive. A number of proposals relevant to…

Revisits the middle-level school movement. Provides an overview of young adolescents' development, offers representative examples of developmentally appropriate practices, and looks at progress educators have made as well challenges encountered. Emphasizes the importance of understanding physical, pychosocial, and cognitive development in young…

This essay focuses on teachers as peacemakers. Peace education is discussed as multifaceted and cross-disciplinary, emphasizing the teaching of peace, nonviolence, conflict resolution, social justice, economic well-being, political participation, and environmental concern. The report asserts that any curriculum for young children should stress a…

High school theology instruction receives little attention in scholarly research. This is regrettable because such a unique curricular component has the potential to add much to the Catholicity of the school and to the religious development of faculty and students. To advance the discussion and application of the ideas presented in this focus…

This booklet focuses on understanding authentic learning and assessment practices and their effect on students and teachers at the middle level. After an examination of what is meant by authentic learning, five guidelines are suggested for use in selecting authentic content for middle level students. Specifically, authentic materials: (1) should…

Within the field of early childhood education, several issues are currently being debated and many new developments are emerging. One of these trends is toward the expansion and redefinition of early childhood education to include all educational experiences for children from birth to 8 years of age. Another trend is the increased interest in…