Recognizing the importance of teaching based on young children's interests, this book describes the High Scope Demonstration Preschool approach to helping teachers plan early childhood education learning activities, based on specific observations of children, rather than a predetermined set of topics. Each chapter includes the following sections: (1) general teaching and interaction strategies, emphasizing techniques useful for communicating with children verbally and nonverbally; (2) indoor and outdoor materials to add, including possible materials to enable children to expand on specific interests; (3) planning and recall experiences, game-like strategies to hold the group's attention, built on action or material from play experiences; (4) small-group experiences, designed for use with one adult and 5 to 10 children; (5) large-group experiences, including movement, songs, and games; (6) child observations, samples of teachers' anecdotal notes recorded about learning experiences described in the chapter and classified according to either High/Scope key experiences or the Child Observation Record; and (7) adult training activities, individual or group activities to give teachers practice in applying the strategies presented. Chapter 1 of the guide outlines the High/Scope Framework, including the central principles and guidelines. Chapters 2 through 9 cover the following types of activities: (1) "Artwork: Drawing, Painting, and Making Models"; (2) "Pretend Play: Favorite Play Roles"; (3) Nature: Observing Plants, Animals, and Weather"; (4) "Social Play: Exploring Feelings and Relationships"; (5) "Celebrations: Experiencing Holidays and Special Events"; (6) "'Messy' Materials: Pouring, Filling, Mixing, and Molding"; (7) "Food-Related Play: Cooking, Eating, and Pretending"; and (8) "Character Play: Pooh, Piglet, and Power Rangers." (Author/KB)