Reports a study that investigated how kindergarten children view participation in physical education. Four students of varying skill levels were observed, interviewed, and videotaped. The students demonstrated a relentless persistence for play, which conflicted with the teacher's zone of acceptable responses. Children preferred tasks presented in…

Contends that criticism of progressive pedagogical methods may be creating an ideologically neutral orthodoxy of primary school practice in Great Britain. Expresses caution about this development by defending principles underlying progressive education. Argues for the development of child-centered teaching methods within the National Curriculum.…

Considers how child care and early education in Italy reflect the convergence of cultural values and practices of the larger cultural region but also the immediate community's local traditions. Focuses on educational practices of Reggio Emilia preschools, and how they demonstrate the relationship between children's social competencies and…

In this article, the author answers the following question: In addition to the usual wide-ranging abilities of a new class, I have one 4-year-old who has learning delays and three children with speech and language disorders. What can I do to be sure that I'm creating a classroom environment where the needs of all the children in my group can be…

"Storying" captures our interest in the unfolding stories of lives--those of young children, parents, caregivers, teachers, and ourselves. The sharing and building of stories is a social experience--a way to establish early connections that are essential to young children's learning and development. Stories, and the building of stories, are at the…

Culturally sensitive interventions in early childhood education are needed in societies in which immigrants have joined indigenous populations and where people with different national, ethnic or religious identities have created new communities. Although a theoretical framework for culturally sensitive research into child development exists, the…

In this article, we consider the theoretical debates and frameworks that have shaped research on language development and intervention in persons with mental retardation over the past four decades. Our starting point is the nativist theory, which has been espoused most forcefully by Chomsky. We also consider more recent alternatives to the…

The Child Welfare League of America is the nation's oldest and largest membership-based child welfare organization committed to engaging people everywhere in promoting the well-being of children, youth, and their families and protecting every child from harm. By publishing a diverse range of views on a wide array of topics, "Children's…

This paper questions the widely held assumption that acquiring knowledge of child development is an essential part of teacher preparation and teaching competence, especially among teachers of young children. After discussing the influence of culture, parenting style, and teaching style on developmental expectations and outcomes, the paper asserts…

This digest debunks myths about developmentally appropriate programs (DAPs) and discusses essential characteristics of developmentally appropriate practices. Common myths or erroneous assumptions about DAPs assume that: (1) there is only one right way to implement a DAP; (2) DAPs are unstructured, and practitioners offer minimal guidance to the…

This case study explored how social interaction during science lessons leads to the development of planning skills in students. An analysis of group discussions was conducted. Questions addressed were: (1) What is the nature of planning discourse during science problem-solving activities with young children?; and (2) How is collaborative planning…

This paper outlines 22 principles of practice that serve as criteria by which to judge the developmental appropriateness of an early childhood curriculum. The principles lead to the assertion that young children as learners are greatly supported when a "project approach" is used--e.g., when their early childhood education experience…

Most large schools have many types of programs serving many types of students, but smaller schools, serving fewer students, may be able to have a more defined "personality," or focus. Focus schools are becoming more popular because their students tend to be high achievers and because many districts are allowing families to choose the schools they…

The manual is intended to provide preschool educators who work with exceptional children with both theoretical background and practical guidance in teaching children with attentional deficit disorders, oppositional disorders, conduct disorders, autism, developmental learning disorders, childhood depression, borderline personality disorders, and…

The writing of five consecutive classes of first grade students was analyzed to investigate the selection of topic, theme, and mode in six-year-old children learning to read and write through the use of an invented spelling approach in an open classroom. The writing studied was in the form of 993 "books" (several sheets of paper stapled…