Children, especially in the preschool years, learn a tremendous amount through play. Research on guided play demonstrates how schools can couple a curriculum-centered preschool program with a developmentally appropriate pedagogical approach to classroom teaching. However, to fully test this claim, we need a clear definition of the term…

Kindergarten has become increasingly academic in nature. One of the primary dilemmas arising from this shift is the tension between the use of developmentally appropriate practices and the obligation to teach academic standards. To gain a deeper understanding of how kindergarten is enacted in the evolving curricular landscape, we look beyond these…

Position paper argues in favor of developmentally appropriate kindergarten programs. Paper examines program goals and content, and provides suggestions about learning environment, curriculum, and staff. Includes statements concerning purpose of kindergarten, importance of play in learning, and need for program support. (PCB)

Describes the curriculum activities in one child-centered, developmentally appropriate child care facility preschool classroom. Explains how activities are selected according to children's needs, interest, and ability, and how activities address the kindergarten core competencies mandated by the North Carolina public school system. Asserts that…

Explains how high quality early childhood programs address academics, including assessment, and are accountable to early childhood standards. Describes how the early childhood learning situation that looks very much like play is actually a carefully designed and organized learning environment that provides structure, stimulation, and support for…

Provides a general background on child-centered learning, focusing on topics such as "center time" and children's play. Offers suggestions that will enable early childhood teachers to implement child-centered music practices. Considers ideas on different music centers and activities for teachers interested in developing a child-centered music…

Discusses the importance of "sweetening" language and literacy experiences by using everyday-life language in playful ways. Maintains that listening to children's language, modeling literacy engagement, playing with language as children do, and loving children unconditionally are primary conditions for optimal, developmentally…

Presents an overview of developmentally appropriate practices for preschool classrooms. Discusses the role of the teacher, and emphasizes the use of age-appropriate schedules, space, group and individual activities, music and movement, as well as interest-based curricula. (MOK)

Presents strategies to make planning-through-play activities a fun and integral part of the preschool developmental curriculum. Strategies are influenced by a Piagetian approach and an information processing approach that focuses on development of decision making. Specific suggestions are based on a model preschool program in Brookline,…

This paper maintains that the two basic dimensions of developmentally appropriate practice are age appropriateness and individual appropriateness. For the latter dimension, individuals' patterns of growth, personality, families, and culture are believed to be important. Teachers who use developmentally appropriate practices believe that young…

This paper describes The Toledo Museum of Art Early Childhood Program, a program that promotes knowledge and appreciation of art by young children and their families. The program supports the interactionist philosophy of early childhood education, which focuses on developmentally appropriate instruction. In interactionism, the major emphasis is on…

This book presents a preschool framework that integrates literacy activities into content area lessons while embedding instruction within adult-child social interactions and realistic, playful activities tailored to each child's individual needs. Chapter 1 of the book delineates the theory and rationale behind the framework, and outlines essential…