Four types of classrooms are described in relation to individual child development, particularly the learning aspect of development. The first type of classroom is the normative grade school, which operates on the premise that people should be essentially alike rather than different. The second classroom is the behavioral competency school, which uses a heavy reinforcement system. Some of the negative and positive features of competency-based education are examined. A third type of classroom is the Piagetian School, which is baed on Piaget's developmental theories. The major principles of Piaget are relevant for the development of a broad, comprehensive approach to early childhood education. The final classroom is the Free School and the Open School, which is characterized by almost unlimited freedom. A broad comprehensive repertoire of approaches is essential in early childhood development because of the vast variety of human needs that exist in any particular classroom. (DB)