The Cognitive Curriculum focuses primarily on intellectual, or cognitive development of the child. Much of its theory is based on the work of Piaget and is concerned with the development of logical thinking and representation. A central tenet is that the child learns through active involvement with his environment and that the child undergoes…

This paper consists of observations on a China tour to nursery schools, children's hospitals, primary schools, a high school, a teacher training institute, after-school children's centers and a school for the deaf. Twenty American early childhood education specialists participated in the tour, which included visits to five cities and to rural…

Suggests activities (focusing on sensory experiences) which can be used to foster positive attitudes about nutritious foods in preschool children. (CM)

Describes and provides a list of materials for sensorimotor, symbolic, and construction play. Benefits of arranging the playground with a variety of materials are also discussed. (AS)

The necessary ingredients for an innovative health education program include a committed administrator and education director within each school, along with access to films, books, games, and a health consultant for each area. (JD)

This paper presents some ideas to preschool educators and policy makers about how to make validated educational models central in standards for preschool education and care programs that are available to all 3- and 4-year-olds. Defining an educational model as a coherent body of program practices, curriculum content, program and child, and teacher…

Teachers and caregivers understand well how important their role is in the promotion of young children's cognitive development. However, they must also emphasize the development of prosocial behaviors in children, particularly in light of some recent data indicating possible heightened aggression and lack of prosocial interactions among…

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…

This report outlines 10 multicultural principles for Head Start preschool programs and ancillary services. It asserts that Head Start programming should: (1) treat every child as an individual; (2) represent the cultural groups in the community; (3) emphasize accurate information about cultural groups and discard stereotypes; (4) address cultural…

Noting that the process of playing with blocks supports the groundwork for learning in every area of a child's growth, this paper discusses specific uses of building blocks in the early childhood curriculum to develop a child's physical, social, emotional, artistic, language, scientific and mathematics growth. The paper outlines the contributions…

This publication from the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) is designed to inform parents about the department's prekindergarten curriculum in four major areas: language arts/reading, mathematics, science, and social studies. The integrated language arts/reading standards include listening attentively and participating courteously…

The Vermont Framework of Standards and Learning Opportunities was developed in order to better provide Vermont students with essential skills and knowledge and to ensure that they leave school able to contribute positively to society. This 13-minute videotape examines how this framework is applied in early care and education settings. The video…

The importance of individual differences among preschool teachers in implementing curriculum models is discussed. Interaction between the role expectations associated with a model and individual teacher styles accounts for the variation found within any one model. No matter what model is implemented, teacher variables largely determine degree of…

Discusses problems of early childhood program evaluation based on curricula variations, critiques of achievement and intelligence testing, analysis of predictive validity and the relationship between home and school environments. Identifies new directions for evaluation in each of these areas. (DP)

Reports on day-care and preschool programs in Czechoslovakia and East Germany, describing infant-toddler care, preschool programs, research projects, parent involvement, and future trends. (DB)