At preschool age, it is generally accepted that children's main pursuit is play. In particular, pretend play has a major role in supporting a preschooler's learning processes. Early pretend play involves object substitution, before later progressing to the incorporation of invisible objects. The purpose of the presented study was to validate that…

Background: Children's holistic development includes physical, cognitive, socio-emotional, moral and affective development and lies in early childhood development education (ECDE). According to research, children learn through different age-appropriate teaching and learning pedagogies. Therefore, the importance of implementing a play-based…

"Early Childhood Development" celebrates the rich diversity of development among children in all neighborhoods in the United States and around the globe. It examines the physical, social, emotional, linguistic and intellectual characteristics of children from birth through age 8. Within each development domain, it considers the typical…

As a society we want our children and young people to thrive and fulfil their potential. How then, can we best identify and respond to their needs in order to achieve this? In this lecture, Professor Claire Cameron takes the case of children in state care and the longer-term impacts on those young people of having been in care. In particular, she…

This book brings together a group of extraordinary educators and scholars who offer important insights about what we can do to defend childhood from societal challenges. The authors explain new findings from neuroscience and psychology, as well as emerging knowledge about the impact on child development of cultural and linguistic diversity,…

An American visitor to China describes how Mao's "three R's" of education--Moral, Intellectual, and Physical Development--are integrated into educational practice. (CS)

A survey of the evidence shows that some degrees of malnutrition is relatively widespread among poor children. However, the effects of inadequate nutrition on growth and mental development depend to a large extent on the severity, the timing (pre and postnatal), and the duration of the nutritional deprivation. The data are inadequate on the true…

Delineates the rationale underlying traditional preschool programs by drawing together theory that is accepted by early childhood educators. Makes an effort to use ordinary language that could be used by teachers to explain the program to parents. (Author/CM)

In response to increased interest in early childhood programs, this report, prepared by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Instruction, presents the goals of kindergartens and the rationale for their existence. Both supportive and nonsupportive statements on compulsory kindergarten are included. Child development charts describe the physical,…

The three papers included in this symposium discuss the relevance of Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development to the early childhood practitioner. First, an overview of Piaget's theory is presented. This focusses on the particular aspects of the theory most relevant to practitioners in early childhood education. Second, curriculum…

This bibliography of learning resources lists pamphlets, books and audiovisual materials by CDA competency area. The competency areas are: (A) Setting Up and Maintaining a Safe and Healthy Learning Environment, (B) Advancing Physical and Intellectual Competence, (C) Building Positive Self Concept and Individual Strength, (D) Organizing and…

This book presents 350 classroom-tested activities for use with children to create an environment that will stimulate young children's brains. Designed to be used by families, classroom teachers, family childcare providers, or others caring for young children, the book includes information on current brain research and describes interest areas in…

This paper presents suggestions and guidelines for planning creative outdoor learning environments and experiences for young children. The discussion focuses on the fact that children learn more readily and develop better physically, intellectually, emotionally, and socially when their play is allowed to be creative and innovative in nature. The…

This abstract bibliography concentrates on aspects of the physical and intellectual development of the Australian Aboriginal child, although educational, sociological and other issues are also raised in a number of the entries included. Most of the 57 entries are journal articles, although some are book chapters, reports and conference papers. A…

The Title I Early Childhood Component of Boston's Elementary Enrichment Program (1977-78) was intended to provide children (including the hearing impaired) with enriched educational experiences that would contribute to socialization skills and general readiness for school and later life experiences. The Component was also intended to provide…