Describes the typical kindergarten day as experienced by one child in the German-speaking region of Switzerland. Illustrates the main goal of kindergarten as preparing children for school rather than teaching reading, writing, or written numeracy. Focuses on the oral language learning approach incorporating teacher- and child-initiated activities.…

Provides background information on the existing educational practices in early childhood education in Hong Kong, highlights issues that require attention in order to improve quality, and outlines reforms introduced by the Hong Kong Education Commission. Discusses the implications of these reforms and the associated challenges in the areas of…

This article recounts observations of the use of texts in the preschool, to document the interaction between the child, the teacher, and the environment, and the emergent literacy in the daily practices. Presentation of the findings is a description of two different textual environments: the narrative and the passive. (Author)

Provides an overview of early language and literacy development and influences. Details how teachers can use storybooks to plan toddler curricula, presents criteria for selecting toddler books for curriculum projects, and describes how one book served as the foundation for a curriculum project, focusing on representing ideas and concepts from the…

Results from a statewide survey of 100 Alabama day care program directors identified the scope of health education activities, the program directors' perceptions of benefits and barriers to health education in child care settings, and factors affecting the adoption and delivery of early childhood health education programs. (IAH)

Presents a procedure used at one cooperative preschool to orient parents and volunteer participants to a developmentally appropriate program. (BB)

Examined the extent of extra-year programs for kindergarten students in Texas school districts; identified procedures and curricular interventions; and established the growth trend of these classes statewide. Found that 39% of the 285 school districts responding had transition classes, and the trend for the state at-large appeared to be one of…

Examines how aggressive play such as superhero play meets children's needs for physical, social, and psychological power. Recommends facilitating this type of play by preparing the environment, setting clear limits for safety, bringing the characters and stories into daily learning activities, and teaching children peaceable ways to resolve…

Presents a view of developmentally appropriate practice that differs from that of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). A program that incorporates this view is described in terms of its theoretical perspectives and classroom practices and compared to the NAEYC description of appropriate and inappropriate practice.…

Examined the effects of thematic fantasy play (TFP) on the perspective-taking of 27 kindergarten children by having their teacher guide them in the reenactment of fairy tales. Results demonstrated that the children exposed to TFP performed significantly higher on measures of perceptual, cognitive, and affective perspective-taking than a control…

The Educational Attitude Scale was administered to 371 mothers and 23 teachers from 22 schools to determine what they thought about the value of early academics for prekindergartners. Parents had significantly higher expectations, and placed more value on early skill experiences, than did teachers. (SH)

Examines the current policy context in early childhood education in England and Wales. Clarifies some of the tensions and contradictions inherent in current conceptions of progression and continuity, drawing on perspectives from theory, policy, and practice. Identifies three key areas of research that would advance development of theories of…

Provides an introduction and overview of the development of self-determination and recommendations for instruction during preschool and early elementary years. Describes a model of instruction designed to promote self- determination for kindergarten through third grade. Includes suggestions for supporting families to promote this outcome.…

Argues that too much emphasis on developing a nonsexist, antibias, peace-centered, politically correct day-care center curriculum may overly restrict children's imagination, creativity, and desires, leading to an educator-imposed bias in the curriculum. Educators should encourage children to engage in developmentally appropriate play activities…

Examines three Swedish research projects concerning how reading and writing are viewed in the preschool context. Finds that linguistic awareness is a precondition, stimulating linguistic awareness fosters literacy development, linguistic awareness activities are common in preschools, and attitudes have changed about when and how young children…