An outline for Piaget-based early childhood education curricula is presented. Long term objectives of the curriculum are the facilitation of moral and social growth, and intellectual development leading to formal operational functioning. Education is seen as a process that encourages creative and critical thinking. Short-term objectives are listed in categories of socio-emotional and cognitive development. The model is based on the traditional child development curriculum, with three major differences: (1) thinking is emphasized rather than factual knowledge or sensory learning; (2) the principles of teaching are modified to encourage an active environment, self-initiation of activity, problem-solving directly from physical objects, and the freedom to be "wrong" so that correct answers can be self-discovered; and (3) the role of the teacher is to create the environment where these learning activities will naturally take place. A specific activity is described and discussed in terms of its rationale, or the cognitive processes involved in its participation. (DP)