Forest kindergartens are a new idea in the United States but have been around in Germany, Norway, and other European countries for decades. Forest "kindergartens" are preschools for children ages 3-6 and focus on being outdoors and learning through interacting with nature. Instead of building with blocks or doing puzzles at a table…

The national early learning community faces the challenge of using early learning standards and assessments to improve learning environments while preserving educators' freedom to plan early childhood curriculum that accord with a child-centered focus and developmentally appropriate practices. Drawing on recent developments in approaches to…

Well-informed teachers of young children recognize the importance of children's social development. The development of social skills lays a critical foundation for later academic achievement as well as work-related skills. Social development is such a key issue with young children that a number of methods to address social skills have been…

In response to extended-day child care schedules, this article offers suggestions for planning a variety of developmentally appropriate activities to maintain the preschool child's interest and energy. Suggestions are provided for scheduling, enlisting parent and volunteer participation, increasing awareness of current events, and for end-of-day…

This preschool curriculum was developed by a local task force in Lower Kuskokwim School District, Alaska. The task force based their work on the book "Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs Serving Children from Birth through Age 8," on input from district parents of young children, and on the recommendations of a…

The Step by Step program was begun in 1994 as an experiment linking sound early childhood educational practice with concepts of democracy to create learning environments in which children practice choice and learn critical thinking skills, and in which parents actively participate in their child's education. This manual expands the program to…

This guide provides early childhood educators with information that will facilitate the construction of a developmentally appropriate curriculum for children from birth through kindergarten age. Such a curriculum: views cognitive, language, affective, and physical development as interrelated and interdependent; is appropriate for the child's age…

This handbook was developed to assist educators and parents in fostering children's self-concept through developmentally appropriate kindergarten experiences. Guidelines for parental involvement, classroom volunteers, and families under stress are included. The handbook describes basic characteristics of children from ages 3-8 in terms of…

This chapter is part of a book that recounts the year's work at the Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) at Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi. Rather than an "elitist" laboratory school for the children of university faculty, the dual-language ECDC is a collaboration between the Corpus Christi Independent School District and…

Examines basic concepts forming the foundation for professional care and education of young children and how these concepts may impede interaction between teachers or caregivers and children. Critiques the concepts of natural development, developmentally appropriate curriculum, and child centeredness. Advocates increased scaffolding, increased…

This book is an effort to introduce early childhood educators to Vygotsky's perspective, research on young children that has been stimulated by this perspective, and current educational practices emanating from it. The discussion is divided into seven chapters. Chapter 1 provides an overview of Vygotsky's life, the social conditions in which his…

This practicum project sought to facilitate change in preschool teacher classroom behavior from teacher-directed practice to child-initiated practice. The goals of the practicum focused on changes that would foster child-initiated activities in order to promote healthy and holistic development, positive self-esteem, and resiliency skills in young…

In order to promote critical thinking in young children, particularly children ages 5-8, teachers need to understand skills and dispositions of critical thinkers. This paper discusses these skills, dispositions, and the appropriate classroom climate, within the context of pedagogy, along with learning activities for kindergarten and primary…

The curriculum presented in this bulletin is a response to a definite need frequently expressed by kindergarten teachers, primary teachers, and school men. The work of the different grades has been fairly standardized as to subject matter and method, and is usually outlined quite definitely for the guidance of teachers in the course of study. But…

Concerns about the quality of a before- and after-school program on an overseas military installation arose due to low staff morale, caregivers' lack of training and experience, and child behavior problems. This practicum project devised and implemented a 10-week training program to increase staff knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices…