Maintains that full-day kindergarten programs can derive at least part of their curriculum from the diverse gifts of social and cultural knowledge that children bring to the classroom. Includes a description of a kindergarten class that explored the topic of grandparents. (BB)

Presents issues concerning kindergarten, Grade one and Grade two curriculum content, which is now more academically oriented than 30 years ago. Using examples drawn from teaching experience, discusses related issues of school entrance age, the ungraded K-2 classroom, beginning reading instruction, and parent involvement. (NH)

This paper reports the reform of preschool education in Germany which began at the end of the 1960s as a curriculum reform and within 10 years had resulted in the reorganization of all kindergartens. The discussion describes features of reformed kindergartens, offers examples of educational work in reformed kindergartens, and explores the…

A look at curricular reforms and reflection on the evolution of a kindergarten language arts curriculum lead to a description of how one teacher integrated several theoretical perspectives in her practice. An ongoing dialogue between teachers and theorists, researchers, and policymakers would foster a more comprehensive view of the learning…

Offers classroom teachers a way to use listening activities to improve students' comprehension, a procedure that has worked well with a group of children in grades K-3. (JC)

Suggests that Korea's cultural changes and trends are reflected in the country's kindergarten curriculum. Provides an overview of traditional Korean early childhood education and the historical evolution of kindergarten curriculum. Discusses the modern national kindergarten curriculum and its relationship to Korean culture and concludes that…

Focuses on how to include movement education into the music classroom. Discusses the techniques developed by three movement specialists: (1) Edwin Gordon's Continuous Fluid Motion (CFM); (2) Rudolf von Laban's effort/flow elements; and (3) Phyllis Weikart's taxonomy of movement. Includes a bibliography of resources. (CMK)

In revising their kindergarten curriculum, Japanese educators have adapted Western ideas of creativity and expression. Explains that this is especially visible in the goal of "expression" in the current kindergarten curriculum. Provides details on the new curriculum's aims, specifically in relation to the use of Japanese paper and…

This position paper was written to assist teachers and administrators in Oregon in preparing curriculum and setting priorities for kindergarten programs. It begins by asserting that the focus of kindergarten instruction should be on the total development of the child: socioemotional, physical, and intellectual. The need for concrete learning…

In most cases, the pervasive establishment of all-day kindergartens was premature. A review of existing studies on the impact of all-day kindergarten indicated that the issue has been inadequately investigated, and that inconsistent findings have been reported. In particular, there is a dearth of empirical research that defines the effect of…

In this interview with a Florida kindergarten teacher, the whole language philosophy is used to help elementary students learn skills through ongoing reading and writing activities. Thematic units are used to encourage teacher facilitation and peer teaching. (DG)

Provides a brief history of Japanese early childhood education. Explains that the kindergarten idea came from Western countries and was adapted to Japanese society by the Ministry of Education and by Christian missionaries. Presents examples of these adaptations in the Japanese translations of Froebel's books as well as in the development of…

Suggests that when teachers study their children in systematic ways to enhance classroom management, they are participating in action research. Discusses how data for action research are collected, for example teacher diaries and student portfolios. Presents two examples of action research: one on block play and the other on curriculum…

Whereas in the past innovations in the education of younger children have led to changes in the education of older children, the direction of influence now appears to have changed. The influence on the kindergarten by the primary grades seems to be changing kindergarten practice. In reconstituting the kindergarten to make it more responsive to the…

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…