Two-year, associate degree early childhood education programs play a critical role in preparing future teachers to work in the birth-to-five, early care, and education sector. To achieve academic equity and optimal developmental outcomes for all children, teacher educators must situate their understandings of diversity and equity in critical…

The recent call for developmentally appropriate practices is analyzed from the perspective of the sociology of the curriculum, which is examined briefly. Discussion covers metaphors that form the foundation of curriculum theory and two alternative metaphors: early childhood education as caring and as schooling for democracy. (LB)