Noting that whereas British primary schools are admirable, provision of preschool education is uneven, this book examines the questionable changes brought on by recent government policies, and the consequences of those changes, enjoining policymakers to change their attitude toward early childhood education and improve the mesh between nursery and…

The major part of this preschool curriculum planning guide consists of 44 units focusing on six areas of skill development: fine motor, gross motor, social, self-help, language, and cognitive. Introducing the units are brief discussions of the curriculum in general and the unit approach to instruction. Most units include approximately five…

Composed of 19 chapters, this training guide for child caregivers in the United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) offers information about various activity centers, the caregiver role and relationships, characteristics of children, caregiver responsibilities, and games. Each chapter consists of an outline of basic information concerning each…

Three different bilingual, bicultural curriculum, preschool models encouraged children to use three different interaction strategies, but the models had no lasting effects on the children's first grade interactions, according to a year's observation of the communication experiences of 42 Mexican American children of varying English language…

This paper explores implications of the preschool program in Reggio Emilia, Italy for the early childhood education curriculum in the United States. Reggio Emilia's municipal early childhood program incorporates high quality day care with a carefully articulated philosophy of education. The curriculum of the preschools is based on a project…

This article analyzes potential problems in using standardized achievement tests in early childhood education settings. The first problem discussed is whether the outcomes typically measured by standardized achievement tests are the outcomes about which early childhood educators are most concerned. Second, it is argued that a concern for test…

This selective abstract bibliography cites 130 recent ERIC documents which describe various approaches to the preparation of teachers of young children. Entries included are from "Research in Education" (RIE), July 1972 through July 1974, and from "Current Index to Journals in Education" (CIJE), December 1973 through August…

This resource handbook (a continuation and expansion of an original work published in 1969 by the Curriculum Committee of the Kansas Association for the Education of Young Children) integrates curriculum ideas and learning opportunities into every part of a school day's program. The book deals with a variety of subjects grouped under the general…

The relationship between Piagetian theory and its application in three early childhood programs is discussed in two papers with differing points of view. The first paper discusses Piaget's epistemology and presents a critical analysis of the three programs, concluding that only one of them is consistent with Piaget's epistemology. A rejoinder,…

Certain literacy knowledge acquired prior to the initiation of beginning reading instruction is necessary for early reading success. Unfortunately, children from low- income families and who are likely to attend schools with low reading performance are less likely to have acquired such knowledge. Taking professionals and students step-by-step…

Providing a forum for current thought about the field of early education and care, this book reviews efforts worldwide to educate young children. The book examines child care quality, presents a cultural feminist perspective on caregiving, discusses curricular issues, and considers the role of play in early childhood practice. The chapters are:…

This conference proceedings compiles papers presented at the Institute of Early Childhood in July 2000, the fifth in a series examining the challenges which the schools of Reggio Emilia, Italy present the early childhood profession in Australia. The conference focused on time and play in preschool education. Paper topics related to the history of…

The training and support needs of early years workers is a key issue in Great Britain, especially as it relates to recognizing and responding to the needs of children under age three. This professional development pack, developed by the Educare for the Under Threes Project at Manchester Metropolitan University, is comprised of a workbook with two…

Recognizing the importance of providing high-quality preschool education for helping to ensure children's future educational success, this document presents guidelines for what constitutes high-quality programming across a broad spectrum of curriculum and practice for California preschools, taking into account the state's move toward higher…

These hearings transcripts present testimony on the impact of the Head Start program for preparing disadvantaged children for school, to inform the reauthorization of Head Start. Opening statements by U.S. Representatives Michael Castle (Delaware) and Lynn Wolsey (California) focused on needs for improving Head Start. A written statement by…