The author's 40 years as an educator have led him to an important insight: stress is crippling the schools. On top of other extreme conditions in schools and on students, there is the pressure to achieve and succeed in a fast-paced, chaotic world. This pervasive stress compromises the physical health, and in turn the cognitive and psychological…

Discusses two challenges facing middle level leaders in their efforts to emphasize curriculum and instruction: creating and maintaining high-quality developmentally appropriate curriculum and instruction in an era of standards-based reform and high-stakes accountability, and assisting teachers in making the changes in their classrooms that will…

One school system's efforts to improve the quality of its early childhood programs included making early childhood education the top priority; exposing principals to developmentally appropriate practices; creating early childhood collaboratives; training teachers; upgrading classrooms; establishing demonstration centers; providing support for…

This study assessed the role of inservice programs in bringing more developmentally appropriate practices to the early childhood classroom. Training was intended to accentuate the teachers' role in effecting educational change. Through classroom observations and teacher feedback, the researcher and participating teachers developed a 3-year…

Describes the approach to technical assistance offered by one of the groups that has contributed to the ongoing change process in the District of Columbia Schools. Discusses the normal path of outside technical assistance and examines some of the key differences that make the collaboration between Northeast Foundation for Children and the District…

Parents and teachers share concerns about appropriate early childhood educational practices, but often differ on what methods best serve the children. Differences in opinion can result in strained relationships between the home and school, and make fulfilling the basic educational needs of the child more difficult. This study explores the age-old…

Noting the challenges presented for kindergarten teachers by current demands for accountability based on standardized measures that ignore diversity, this book presents ideas for implementing a developmentally-appropriate kindergarten curriculum within the constraints of American public schools. Following introductory remarks, the book is…

Noting that many early childhood practitioners have difficulty understanding and articulating how developmentally appropriate practices in their programs contribute to students' kindergarten readiness, this report details the implementation and evaluation of practicum experiences designed to improve preschool teachers' developmentally appropriate…

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…