Focusing on the argument that early childhood education plays a crucial role in children's future success, this guide provides information to educators about development-based education that leads to active and productive learning for children ages 4 through 6. The guide provides examples for planning and organizing classroom environments, scheduling the day's activities, guiding interactions between children and adults, and planning challenging curriculum and assessment activities. Chapter one, "Guiding Principles for Quality Early Primary Programs," focuses on models of child development and explanations of development-based education. Chapter two, "Planning Environments for Early Primary Programs," addresses the importance of environment and physical space in meeting children's needs. Chapter three, "Scheduling the Day in the Early Primary Program," addresses the need to balance classroom activities in the daily schedule, while chapter four, "Planning Classroom Instruction and Management," focuses on the goals of quality learning and managing inevitable issues that arise in the classrooms of young children. Chapter five, "Applying Child Development Principles to Curriculum," addresses specific areas of study and how they fit into the education of young children. Chapter six, "Planning an Integrated Early Primary Program," addresses incorporation and integration of diversity, special services, and teaching strategies into the program. The guide's four appendices address specific issues of reading, writing, assessment, and working with English language learners. (Contains approximately 350 references.) (SD)