Investigated the effect of developmentally appropriate literacy interventions integrated into circle time in a Head Start setting on the detection of rhyme by 4-5 year olds. Found that the group receiving phonological-awareness treatment performed better on a rhyme detection test than the semantic intervention group. (JPB)

Discusses the educational philosophy of Henry Maier, a developmentalist who focuses on traditionally defined child and youth practices. Claims that children thrive in a developmentally safe environment that includes exploratory, child-paced time to manipulate objects, interact with others in sociodramatic play, and solve problems. Discusses signs…

The purpose of elementary physical education is poorly defined, and the public has low expectations and support for the field. The Developmentally Appropriate Physical Education Practices for Children rating scale emphasizes teaching practices that are appropriate to each student's age and ability. The paper describes use of the scale. (SM)

Examined developmentally appropriate practices in learning centers in an integrated preschool classroom, noting how special education teachers made adaptations for their special needs children, and explored the role of parents. Found that special needs children developed their own voice in learning centers and self-regulatory behaviors through…

Used teacher questionnaires and observations of classroom practices and environment to examine program-quality characteristics in 58 community-based early-childhood settings serving at least one child with disabilities. Found that both segregated and inclusive settings had moderately good quality and were similar across measures of program…

Presents a teaching dilemma in which parents of a gifted child want a more teacher-directed, structured education for their child. Describes a fictional parent-teacher conference and raises questions about how the teacher, a believer in developmentally appropriate practice, should proceed, especially with regard to NAEYC's Code of Ethical Conduct.…

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…

Discusses the conceptions of play and music play. Reviews research studies on music play. Offers guiding principles for the inclusion of music play in general music education. Provides five examples of activities that encourage the use of music play in the classroom. Includes a bibliography. (CMK)

Are children learning when they are "messing about" in sand or water? Is it science? In a workshop presented at the ASE Annual Meeting in Birmingham (January 2003), "Messy science: planning for learning in the foundation stage," delegates examined the nature of an early years curriculum through first-hand experience of a…

The infant-toddler years are incredibly important in producing a nation of readers. Every family can, in culturally appropriate ways, help infants and toddlers learn to read the world. Every caregiver can, in culturally appropriate ways, help infants and toddlers grow in language and literacy. The authors argue that early childhood programs must…

The purpose of this research is to explore the role of a director of a preschool program who mentors and trains high school students to teach and work directly with preschool children in the context of individual lessons, small group activities, and large group instruction. This participant-observer research study also examines how the director…

"The Toolbox Revisited" is a data essay that follows a nationally representative cohort of students from high school into postsecondary education, and asks what aspects of their formal schooling contribute to completing a bachelor's degree by their mid-20s. The universe of students is confined to those who attended a four-year college at any time,…

Young dancers, girls most particularly, are subject to subtle and not-so-subtle messages of exploitation based on sex. What are the implications for dance educators who are trying hard to advocate for dance and who are trying to encourage appropriate pedagogical practices? Due to the hegemonic pervasiveness of "objectifying" dancers for…

Electronic Blocks are a new programming environment designed specifically for children between three and eight years of age. As such, the design of the Electronic Block environment is firmly based on principles of developmentally appropriate practices in early childhood education. Electronic Blocks are the physical embodiment of computer…

This writing is an investigation into the use of action research methods and tools as a means for preparing 26 preservice teachers to effectively link assessment to instruction. Two concepts emerged from the data: the importance of developmentally appropriate practice and documenting and validating student learning. This study suggests the power…