The aim of this study is to encourage the development of pre-school teachers by raising their awareness about zerowaste and recycling activities. The need for this research is linked to the lack of prominence about the concept of zerowaste in pre-school programs in Turkey, and also the limited inclusion of opportunities for pre-school students to…

The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) bring new attention to the role of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) in the preK-3 curriculum. However, research indicates that early-childhood preservice teachers feel ill-prepared to teach STEM due to a lack of content knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge. The goal of teacher…

In this updated version of their chapter from "Children's Play: The Roots of Reading" (published by ZERO TO THREE in 2004), the authors describe the recent attack on play, in both early childhood and elementary education. They provide a historical overview of the contentious relationship between play and cognitive development. The authors stress…

Argues that worksheets are limited teaching tools because they do not address preschoolers' developmental needs such as hands-on play. Presents characteristics of early learning that can be facilitated by play, which fosters children's social and language development, physical skills, and creative and critical thinking. Suggests that learning can…

Children today are entering day care at younger ages than earlier generations, prompting concern at the differences between day care and home environments. This paper considers the infant classroom in a day care setting, discussing methods of teaching and learning designed to promote authentic learning in a natural educational environment.…

In child-centered education programs, children construct their own knowledge from their experiences and interactions with the world around them, and teachers foster children's growth and development by building on children's interests, needs, and strengths within a safe and caring environment. The Step by Step educational program developed a…

The use of naturalistic teaching procedures in developmentally appropriate early childhood settings was evaluated in two single subject studies. Acquisition and maintenance of skills within developmentally appropriate play contexts were demonstrated by a preschooler with Down's syndrome and one with mild developmental delay. (DB)

In child-centered education programs, children construct their own knowledge from their experiences and interactions with the world around them, and caregivers foster children's growth and development by building on children's interests, needs, and strengths within a safe and caring environment. The Step by Step educational program developed a…