Early learning standards have been articulated in an effort to improve and create cohesion between and within informal and formal learning environments for young children. To fulfill these goals, early learning standards need to be implemented in a manner that is: (1) tailored to the variable nature of early childhood development, (2) adapted for…

The creation of this document has been driven by an intensive review process by the National Scientific Council on the Developing Child and the National Forum on Early Childhood Policy and Programs to assure the credibility of its scientific content. Over the past 12 years, the Council's ongoing work to bring science to bear on public policies for…

The dynamic systems theory, a theory that goes beyond Piaget and Vygotsky, looks promising for curriculum development. In this theory it is explained how a curriculum that creates physical and psychological space for play and initiative learning (self-regulation) is being designed and how the teacher can support the enrichment of play and…

An experimental program in Maryland intervenes into the education of learning disabled children while they are still in kindergarten. (Editor)

Intended for use by preservice and inservice teachers, day care providers, and all who work with preschool and primary age children, this book focuses on children's literature as an art form and on the ways it supports children's growth and development. The first two chapters describe the range of literature currently available and demonstrate how…

Student diversity and inclusion presents a unique set of challenges to foreign language teachers. In fact, it has long been recognized that children with learning disabilities, especially those whose difficulties are language-based, will be challenged by foreign language education. Including children with disabilities in a foreign language class…

Describes an assessment process and its use in planning early childhood programs. Information from parents and from observations of children was used to develop a comprehensive assessment of each child. The assessment was used to note the needs and interests of the children and extend their learning experiences. (SH)

One of 10 documents developed by the Regional Demonstration Program for Preschool Handicapped Children (New York), the curriculum model is intended to describe the means by which child development theory, empirical research data, and teacher experiential assumptions are integrated into the various phases of the curriculum. Individual sections…

Discusses the early childhood education programs of Finland as a development of the Finnish welfare state. Claims that these programs are related to family policy and are considered part of the educare programs, which tend to be child centered and tied to family values. Discusses the future of the Finnish educational system. (MOK)

The final report describes the Getting Started Together Project which provided inservice/continuing education for health and education professionals serving Nebraska's handicapped and at-risk children birth to 3 years of age. The programs's objectives were: (1) develop a 48-hour curriculum on developmental and psychosocial needs of the handicapped…

This paper describes how Wichita, Kansas, public school teachers developed a grade K-2 social studies curriculum focusing upon the developmental needs of children. A group of teachers met to examine textbooks and recommend a future social studies basal textbook adoption. They were not pleased with the primary level texts available through…

In an effort to align high school and community college child development courses, child care education curriculums of Norwalk Community College and Brien McMahon High School in Norwalk, Connecticut were analyzed. Goals, behavioral objectives, learning activities, acquired skills, methods and materials of instruction, and weekly lesson plans were…

First Steps is a program instituted by the Western Australia Ministry of Education to improve the literacy and numeracy of primary school students, particularly those at risk of academic failure. First Steps is organized around reading, writing, spelling, and oral language; children's skills are organized along developmental continua. These…

The guiding principles of developmentally appropriate early childhood education are examined, along with pertinent research, concrete examples, and implications for practice. Chapter 1 provides a brief introduction to recent trends in early childhood education. Chapter 2 considers the principle of matching early childhood education practices to…