As part of a series designed to support parents and caregivers of young children in the home, this booklet focuses on providing opportunities for children to learn about music and develop listening skills. The booklet's introductory section focuses on the importance of music in our everyday lives, the role of music in culture and its connection…

This report is intended to inform policymakers, administrators, and teachers regarding the development of standards or benchmarks addressing language and literacy skills in prekindergarten programs. The report notes that although standards and benchmarks can bring clarity to what should be expected of young children, there are challenges in…

The Creative Curriculum for early childhood education is a teaching framework that addresses children's emotional, cognitive, and physical development. This supplement to the Creative Curriculum is designed to enhance teachers' effectiveness in understanding how content is linked to teaching and learning in a developmentally appropriate curriculum…

Examines the role of democracy in education and its importance in early childhood education programs, including benefits to children. Discusses implications for early childhood education programs that include children with disabilities, makes suggestions for promoting democracy in inclusive early childhood environments, and identifies…

Discusses ideas and strategies to ensure risk management in early childhood settings. Suggests that current trends in early childhood education lead to the reevaluation of risk factors. Notes that risk management today includes not only inspecting playgrounds and classrooms and implementing the latest public health guidelines but also staying…

Contains a series of short, experientially oriented articles on circle time entitled "You Can Make Circle Time Developmentally Appropriate"; "Using Circle Time as a Hub of Curriculum"; "Working It Out Together in Circle Time"; and "Starting with Stories: Building a Sense of Community." (SD)

Uses the example of a fourth-grade class working to have the firefly declared as Pennsylvania's state insect to highlight the effectiveness of dynamic social studies in elementary school. Discusses how dynamic social studies maintains a balance between seriousness and fun by offering a blend of variety, active involvement, and excitement while…

Addresses how the early childhood educator can develop mathematical concepts in the context of goals and standards set by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and simultaneously enhance literacy development. Includes suggestions for daily story time using children's books with strong mathematics and science connections, and for teaching…

Asserts that many enrichment options are congruent with core beliefs regarding middle school pedagogy and suggests some models that will raise the ceiling of achievement for gifted learners and provide opportunity to enhance the learning of all students. Focuses on: (1) shared vision; (2) flexible grouping structures; (3) varied teaching and…

This article emphasizes the importance of providing appropriate services to meet the needs of individual gifted students and the need to first diagnose the level of giftedness to administer the right "therapeutic dose." A chart is provided that defines levels of intellectual giftedness by IQ ranges and by prevalence. (Contains 5…

The SMART planning system is examined as a tool for teachers working toward the successful inclusion of children with disabilities. Four focus areas are discussed connected with the SMART acronym: Select curriculum and approaches; Match instruction to child; Adapt when necessary; Relevant skills targeted; Test to inform instruction. Suggestions on…

Examined why preschoolers struggle to learn sexual abuse prevention concepts that children a few years older learn easily. Determined that preschoolers need programs produced specifically for them, programs that are developmentally graduated, present concepts in a logical order, ensure comprehension, and utilize audio-visual production features…

Outlines a model for a contextual approach to preschool curriculum, considering its three main constructs: a child-centered approach, recognition of the interactions within the child's environment, and the provision of an active growth environment. Describes the influence of the child's social context, comprised of parents and teachers, on early…

Discusses how educating children to use maps for navigation may enhance wayfinding skills as well as general representation and spatial skills. Documents need for innovative educational curricula to meet challenges of teaching map navigation. Describes development and evaluation of "Where Are We?" curriculum to simulate real-world…

Presents overview of a position statement from the National Association of Early Childhood Specialists in State Departments of Education endorsed by the NAEYC Governing Board regarding entry and placement in kindergarten. Identifies questionable educational practices resulting from trend toward demanding more of kindergarten children. Lists…