Presents a brief discussion of several current theoretical and methodological trends in early childhood education, which include: (1) child development perspectives; (2) the purpose of early education; (3) the educational responsibilities of parents and teachers; (4) program evaluation; and (5) the challenges and future direction of early…

In this paper (Part II of a presentation titled "Early Childhood Education in Urban America") four broad questions are discussed: (1) What are the goals of early childhood education? Continuing dilemmas in compensatory early education are articulated, and the questions of how should resources be allocated and who should benefit are raised. (2) Who…

The Philadelphia Prekindergarten Head Start Program is a child development program for three- and four-year old children from low-income families funded through the Philadelphia Anti-Poverty Action Commission. The approach stresses an interacting and multidisciplinary attempt to improve the child's physical and emotional health, his family…