Research shows that a good kindergarten is child-centered, not academically oriented. Teachers in child-centered classrooms encourage kids to make choices, help them stretch for the next learning level, and attend to their social and emotional development. Kindergarten should be an extension of preschool, not a jump start on first grade. Current…

Suggests becoming a master player is a critical learning task for young children. "Push-down" programs (direct teaching, work sheets, and drill), designed to give children a head start in school, fail to consider the active-learning mode in which young children are most competent. Notes that a developmentally appropriate classroom for 3- to 5-year…

The camp community is plagued by various stereotypes, including that camps and their staff are excessively happy, of poor quality, focused on partying and debauchery, scary, or overly strict. These cliches are perpetuated by the mass media. Each stereotype is discussed, and strategies for countering them during staff training are presented. (TD)

Presents three basic epistemological positions (empiricism, nativism, and constructivism) and argues that Maria Montessori's educational practice reflected all three positions. Describes how the constructivist position is reflected in the High/Scope program, and compares and contrasts this position with that of Montessori. Asserts that although…

Provides a rationale and foundation for physical education for preschoolers. Details a developmentally appropriate approach to teaching preschoolers with and without developmental delays; offers relevant recommendations for early childhood and elementary teachers, and physical educators. Asserts that developmentally appropriate physical education…

Suggests ways for early childhood programs to analyze the degree to which their parties, festivals, and celebrations are consistent with early childhood theory and research, and with good practice. Provides suggestions for increased integration of multicultural activities into the overall curriculum. (DR)

This response to the articles by Brewer and Uphoff on transitional programs in this issue addresses two questions: (1) Do transition classes protect children? (2) Do transition classes assist in school improvement? (BG)

Discusses process- and product-oriented early childhood curricula. Describes ways in which process learning can be incorporated into all aspects of the curriculum to support young children's growth. (RJC)

Describes ways in which current software for the early childhood classrooms can be enhanced to better match the developmental abilities of children and the playful ways in which they naturally learn. Offers six suggestions for improving future software options, including decreasing the need for adult instruction and interaction, and designing…

Examines the concept of kindergarten enrichment programs, highlighting questions about the relationship between the "basic" kindergarten curriculum and the "enrichment" component. Concludes that, although such enrichment programs are an unlikely place for child-centered curriculum practices, a child-centered enrichment program may be a useful way…

Examines the appropriateness of environmental education for young children. Concludes that in helping young children become good citizens of the earth, it is better to focus on fostering a sense of wonder and awe than on facts and warnings. Children can come to know the earth through experiences in which they discover the wonder and beauty of the…

Reviews five books on developmentally appropriate teaching, and two volumes from a series on an interpersonal cognitive problem-solving program. (HTH)

Presents revised version of 1987 statement, which emphasized that the provision of high-quality early childhood programs depends upon three basic needs being met: high-quality programming for children, equitable compensation for staff, and affordable services for families or other consumers. (HTH)

Suggests that the growing interest in project work in early childhood education is in response to the call for developmentally appropriate practices. Defines projects and discusses the beginning of a project. Discusses the three phases of the "construction site/house project" by four- and five-year olds and provides responses to…

Summarizes eight recent ERIC documents and seven journal articles on mixed-age grouping. Includes discussions of teaching in the multiage classroom, Kentucky's Primary Program, developmentally appropriate practices in the primary grades, thematic instruction, attitudes toward mixed-age grouping, and questions and answers about mixed-age grouping.…