The evolution of children's playgrounds in the United States from the late 1800s to the present is discussed. This evolution was influenced by the development of kindergartens, nursery schools, public schools, and public parks. Essential elements in the building of developmentally appropriate playgrounds are outlined. (BB)

This unique document is a training manual for individuals such as job coaches and janitorial crew supervisors who train and work with Developmentally Disabled (DD) workers in vocational classrooms and on job sites. These workers need to be taught the importance of safety in the workplace using methods appropriate to their developmental needs. The…

This Spanish language edition of "Learning To Read and Write: Developmentally Appropriate Practices for Young Children," presents effective research-based strategies for promoting children's literacy learning in preschool, kindergarten, and elementary classrooms and infant/toddler settings. Including classroom photos and children's work,…

This paper serves as a reflective dialog around the special circumstances of teaching in contemporary kindergarten through grade 3 classrooms. Three public school teachers who were prepared to teach in a program emphasizing an understanding of developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) describe their experiences teaching in public school…

This practicum study examined kindergarten teachers' perspectives regarding mixed-age groupings that included kindergarten students. The study focused on pedagogical reasons for using mixed-age grouping, ingredients necessary for successful implementation of a multiage program that includes kindergartners, and the perceived effects of a multiage…

This study used the National Association for the Education of Young Children's (NAEYC) "Developmentally Appropriate Practices" (1987) guidelines to determine continuity across the primary grades with regard to developmentally appropriate practices (DAPs). It also sought to determine if there was a significant relationship among administrators,…

This primary education curriculum guide was developed jointly by the Iowa and Nebraska Departments of Education to provide educators with a coherent framework to guide local planning for reform of educational programs for children at the kindergarten and primary level. In the belief that the field has moved beyond separate areas of service or…

In 1995, a nationwide collaborative research-net was formed to articulate practically an early childhood education (ECE) teacher preparation curriculum framework based on developmentally and culturally appropriate practices (DCAP). This paper presents and discusses findings of the 5-year study involving teacher educators from California, Florida,…

The term curriculum model refers to a conceptual framework and organizational structure for decision making about educational priorities, administrative policies, instructional methods, and evaluation criteria. This digest discusses the role of curriculum models in early childhood education. Following a discussion of the origin of early childhood…

Noting the importance of developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) for teaching kindergarten students, this guide with accompanying videotape is designed to help kindergarten practitioners assess their classroom's level of readiness. The guide discusses the concept of kindergarten readiness as including the capacity of kindergarten classrooms and…

Alexandria (Virginia) Community Network Preschools is a private, nonprofit preschool system that serves over 125 low-income children and their families. Network Preschools follow the High/Scope Educational Research Foundation's principles for a superior early-childhood curriculum. The four schools use developmentally appropriate practices, enable…

Although some small liberal arts colleges feature developmentally appropriate programs, most postsecondary institutions are more like factories that process students. This article describes limitations of the current college-admissions model and discusses the need to create common expectations and develop performance-based admission standards…

Summarizes major points of NAEYC's revised position, describing how the revision builds on and expands the previous document through the growing knowledge base and the input of practitioners who used the original publication. Discusses the historical context within which the position statement was written, and summarizes the revisions. Discusses…

Notes that if school efforts to develop children who are tolerant of racial and cultural differences are to succeed, teachers must examine more closely the role parents can and do play in determining children's attitudes and behaviors. Describes a curriculum partnership whereby parents participate in the development of anti-bias curriculum. (HTH)

Describes music as a mnemonic that adds variety and interest to the curriculum and is an important component of multisensory learning. Offers suggestions for creating/using story songs with young children, including the use of one musical phrase in an existing story and creating a melody for an entire story. Gives practical advice for using and…