Examines two preschool programs in the New Orleans area in terms of their arrangement of indoor and outdoor space to implement developmentally appropriate practices. Explains that they can serve as inspiration to other early childhood professionals who struggle to create meaningful experiences for young children in "second-hand" space. (EV)

Describes five "A"s, issues that bind together early childhood educators and give them benchmarks to gauge success: (1) access; (2) affordability; (3) appropriateness; (4) accountability; and (5) advocacy. Asserts that only when all five "A"s are achieved will early childhood education be an enterprise of which all educators…

Clarifies issues surrounding teaching of the alphabet to preschoolers. Considers the meaning of "teaching" and examines links between letter knowledge, phonemic awareness, and learning to read. Presents suggestions for teaching the alphabet within developmentally appropriate practice guidelines, including beginning with the familiar, creating a…

While astronomy has recently re-emerged in many science curricula, there remain unresolved teaching and learning difficulties peculiar to astronomy education. This paper argues that mental model building, the core process in astronomy itself, should be reflected in astronomy education. Also, this crucial skill may promote a better understanding of…

This paper has been developed by the Division for Early Childhood (DEC) of the Council for Exceptional Children to serve as a companion document to the 2003 joint position statement "Early Childhood Curriculum, Assessment and Program Evaluation-Building and Effective, Accountable System in Progams for Children Birth through Age 8" of National…

This paper discusses the concept of "primal landscapes" as a way of conceptualising the interactions between children and the environments they grow up in. The paper discusses this concept drawing on empirical research conducted in the field of human geography on how people learn about their environments. The research employed a…

This report identifies and synthesizes what is known about specific program features for children and youth aged 6-17 that might be manipulated or regulated-components such as staff wages, group size, activities, and theoretical approach that make up the "how" of program implementation. The authors have culled information from the limited extant…

Teaching young children ways to appreciate art is not the daunting task that it appears to be. At a very young age, children are quite capable of having an aesthetic experience on their own terms, whether it be the delight of mixing different textured foods on the high chair table top or becoming visually engaged with a mobile that is suspended…

This paper provides the opportunity to understand children's behavior from a memory viewpoint. For the last three decades, cognitive developmentalists have been asking the question, "what develops in children's memory?" Four answers to this question are presented, complete with explanations, examples, and possible applications where appropriate.…

"Harvard Education Letter" is published bimonthly at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. This issue of "Harvard Education Letter" contains the following articles: (1) More Than "Making Nice": Getting Teachers to (Truly) Collaborate (Laura Pappano); (2) "Doing the Critical Things First": An Aligned Approach to PreK and Early Elementary Math;…

Objective: Anticipatory guidance is a cornerstone of modern pediatric practice. In recognition of its importance for child well being, injury prevention counseling is a standard element of that guidance. Over the last 20 years, there has been growing recognition that intentional injury or violence is one of the leading causes of morbidity and…

In an ideal world, curricula would be designed in response to the developmental needs of learners, but this may not be the reality of the current situation. States have a variety of standards, and teachers are increasingly being held accountable for student performance on tests that are intended to align with these standards. As a result, student…

The intent of this study was to investigate changes in the curriculum caused by high-stakes testing mandates within 3 Southwest Virginia school systems to find best practices for instructional application in classrooms. This qualitative study was comprised of in-depth interviews and observations with elementary school teachers and administrators.…

This packet of materials includes several items that relate to early childhood education in Oregon. An information sheet describes the state's vision of comprehensive early childhood education for all children, and provides definitions, assumptions, and guiding principles that relate to that vision. A figure depicts the coordination of services…

This document summarizes presentations made at a national policy forum concerning children's transition from home and preschool to the first years of elementary school. Three presentations by individual speakers examined: (1) the strategic importance of linkages and the transition between early childhood programs and early elementary school; (2)…