PREPARED BY THE LOUISIANA STATE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC EDUCATION, THIS KINDERGARTEN GUIDEBOOK IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE DIRECTION AND ASSISTANCE IN THE IMPROVEMENT OF EXISTING PROGRAMS AND IN THE ESTABLISHMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF OTHERS. THE FIRST OF FOUR PRINCIPAL SECTIONS INCLUDES (1) A SUMMARY OF THE RATIONALE, HISTORY, AND STATUS OF KINDERGARTEN EDUCATION IN THE UNITED STATES AND IN LOUISIANA, (2) LOUISIANA ACCREDITATION STANDARDS AND TEACHER CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS, (3) ENUMERATIONS OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF KINDERGARTEN CHILDREN AND OF THE PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS OF TEACHERS, (4) GENERAL DISCUSSIONS OF KINDERGARTEN READINESS, THE HOME-SCHOOL RELATIONSHIP, THE ATTRIBUTES OF A SUITABLE HEALTH PROGRAM, AND THE KEEPING OF RECORDS AND REPORTS, AND (5) DESCRIPTIONS OF TYPICAL FULL- AND HALF-DAY PROGRAMS. THE SECOND SECTION, CONCERNED WITH THE CONTENTS OF A PROGRAM OF CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT, ENUMERATES APPROPRIATE PROGRAM ELEMENTS IN (1) THE LANGUAGE ARTS, (2) SOCIAL STUDIES, (3) SCIENCE, (4) MATHEMATICS, (5) ART, (6) MUSIC, AND (7) PHYSICAL EDUCATION. REQUISITE AND DESIRABLE PHYSICAL FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT ARE THE SUBJECT OF THE THIRD SECTION. THE LOCATION, SIZE, AND ARRANGEMENT OF THE CLASSROOM ARE DISCUSSED. SUGGESTED MATERIALS, FURNISHINGS, EQUIPMENT, AND SUPPLIES ARE LISTED. THE CONCLUDING SECTION OF THE GUIDEBOOK CONSISTS OF A BIBLIOGRAPHY AND LISTS OF SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND SUPPLIES. (JS)