This article considers the idea of culturally appropriate practice versus developmentally appropriate practice and discusses ways that early childhood educators can create a curriculum that considers the values and beliefs of an increasingly diverse student population. It is recommended that teachers rely on students' families for information on…

Provides intermediate grade teachers with strategic guidelines and suggested activities designed to develop and improve the quality of writing experiences among students in the classroom. (BB)

The use of naturalistic teaching procedures in developmentally appropriate early childhood settings was evaluated in two single subject studies. Acquisition and maintenance of skills within developmentally appropriate play contexts were demonstrated by a preschooler with Down's syndrome and one with mild developmental delay. (DB)

Offers primary school teachers, supervisors, in-service specialists, and administrators guides for improving language instruction using a model that values teachers' professional judgment and encourages change in small, comfortable steps. These guidelines are used in the Tennessee State Department of Education Whole Language Pilot Project designed…

Adventure-based physical education programs that consider students' developmental stages can best foster skills that reflect positive personal and social responsibility. Elementary students need basic skill instruction, a variety of noncompetitive activities, and a supportive environment. Short debriefing can be added for middle school students.…

Presents the 1998 position statement regarding early literacy development formulated by the International Reading Association and the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Outlines issues and reviews research. Offers a set of principles and recommendations for teaching practices and public policy. Includes a continuum of…

Discusses the advantages and disadvantages of adding school-age children to family child care programs, based on personal experience as a family day care provider. Notes that a safe, nurturing environment is as important for school-age children as preschoolers. Suggests that every family child care provider's capacity and program needs are…

A survey of 91 early childhood special education teachers found they placed a high priority on characteristics of developmentally appropriate software, primarily use of computer technology, to develop and reinforce academic skills, wanted more computer training, and asked that software reflect the developmental needs of young children with…

Describes NAEYC video training materials "Tools for Teaching" providing guidance on five essentials for early childhood teaching: creating caring communities of learners, teaching to enhance development and learning, constructing appropriate curriculum, assessing children's learning and development, and building reciprocal relationships with…

Since 5-year-olds are in the "preoperational" stage of development, they think differently from older children and adults. This means teachers should be encouraged to interact differently with younger kids. The importance of creating developmentally appropriate programs stressing playing and talking is discussed. (MLH)

Examined the effect of developmentally appropriate teaching practices on academic achievement of kindergarten and first-grade children participating in the Head Start/Public School Transition Project. Found that achievement was significantly higher in the more developmentally appropriate classrooms for letter/word identification and applied…

This paper deals with Nurture Groups, which are a specialist form of provision for pupils with social, emotional and learning difficulties. The paper outlines the theoretical underpinnings of the NG approach and describes the practical arrangements and operations features of this form of provision. Evidence from research studies exploring the…

This study explores the relationship between cognitive, motor, social and personality development of 3-year-old children and the age of their entry into preschool, which ranged from 10 to 45 months. 247 children from 17 preschools in different regions of Slovenia, all implementing the same National Curriculum, participated. Preschool teachers…

As more children with disabilities are served in early childhood settings, preservice training programs have a responsibility to provide future early childhood educators with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to actively participate as a team member in meeting the needs of young children with disabilities. This article provides a description…

This report summarizes Austin Independent School District's prekindergarten program for the 2007-2008 school year.