Individuals engaging in recreational pursuits, education, work environments, and many other institutional settings are likely to be separated by age. This common practice is often considered an optimal way to facilitate programs. However, the separation of age groups has created societal consequences. It has encouraged a fear of aging and promoted…

"Understanding the Danish Forest School Approach" is a much needed source of information for those wishing to extend and consolidate their understanding of the Forest School Approach in Denmark and how it is used in the teaching and learning of young children. It will enable the reader to analyse the essential elements of this Approach…

Despite skyrocketing growth in its English Language Learner (ELL) population, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) has been remarkably effective in improving outcomes for ELL students across the district. Achievement has increased, and gaps between ELL students and their native English-speaking peers have decreased. This success is intentional.…

As a facilitator of professional development for preschool teachers, the author is continually faced with questions related to the great divide between theory and practice. Although most child care professionals learn that developmentally appropriate practices support the holistic growth of young children during their initial training, many…

An overview of the prekindergarten program provided for children in the CAL Community School District, Latimer, Iowa, is offered in this booklet. The program's goals, structure, schedule, activities, staff, and evaluation procedures are briefly described. Conclusions and recommendations of the district superintendent concerning the prekindergarten…

Describes the new "basic" preschool program which focuses on enhancing, rather than accelerating, all children's development and enhancing health care. Centered upon Vygotsky's theory of development, such preschool programs focus on play as the leading activity of preschool children, organize the child's material environment, and thereby…

This paper documents the background of a curriculum framework, the Foundation Areas of Learning, for children from birth to age 3 in South Australia. The paper examines some of the dilemmas in creating such a framework and some of the rewards as the system coped with the challenge of including its youngest learners in a clearly articulated…

Provides an overview of past and present early childhood education in the Czech Republic and describes current kindergarten programs. Discusses recent issues, such as decentralization of kindergarten, changing kindergarten curricula, inclusion of special needs children, options for kindergarten programs, and parent involvement. Concludes by noting…

This publication briefly presents the elements of preschool education that are key within a Catholic setting. Chapter I briefly discusses aspects of the influence of values education on childrens' emotional experience. Chapter II, describes, also briefly, aspects of a Catholic pre-kindergarten program, including the young children as well as…

Describes the daily preschool day and the curriculum for kindergarten children in one Russian city. Asserts that Russian preschool education is concerned with balancing young children's physical and intellectual development and is determined to work with parents to help nurture children. (KB)

This paper discusses early childhood education in Iceland and its in relation to the country's cultural heritage, the family welfare system, and legislation and influences from abroad. Because Iceland has been isolated for centuries from the rest of the world, the country has developed its own culture and maintained its native language. The need…

Describes the "Learn Not to Burn Preschool Program," a low-cost fire safety awareness and burn prevention curriculum for young children. The program promotes eight burn prevention methods--including practicing an escape plan--using developmentally appropriate learning objectives to increase children's fire safety knowledge, skill, and…

This paper describes the trademarked ScienceStart![TM] Curriculum--a science-based early childhood curriculum. The curriculum's major content goal is for children to develop a rich, interconnected knowledge base about the world about them. The curriculum's major process goal is to foster the types of intellectual development that characterize the…

A Head Start center assessed and improved its nutrition program. The process involved understanding the program's flaws; developing strategies for change that emphasized mental health and education and impacted all components of the curriculum; and fostering positive staff attitudes toward nutrition. (SM)

The purpose of this handbook is to guide rural school districts intending to establish a preschool program. The program described was established in the Trimble Local School District in the rural Appalachian area of northern Athens County, the third poorest district in Ohio. Contents concern: (1) the district's beliefs about children; (2)…