This teaching guide provides teachers of young children with a philosophy and guidelines for teaching that address childrens social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development. The guide describes a curriculum that offers teachers guidance, support, and freedom to be creative and responsive with children, and provides children, including those with disabilities, with a carefully organized and rich environment. Part 1 of the guide explains the influence of theory and research on the curriculum and presents the five components of the curriculum framework with the necessary information to set up a program: (1) how children develop and learn; (2) the learning environment, especially the structure and routine in the classroom; (3) what children learn, focusing on the body of knowledge included in national and state standards for six content areas--literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, the arts, and technology; (4) the teachers role in guiding childrens learning and assessing their progress; and (5) the familys role in the curriculum. Part 2 describes various materials that meet the developmental needs of young children and enhance learning and teaching in each of the following interest areas: blocks, dramatic play, toys and games, art, library, discovery, sand and water, music and movement, cooking, computers, and outdoors. Each of the chapters in Part 2 ends with a letter to families on ways to support childrens learning at school and at home. Throughout the guide are examples of how 2 teachers work with a group of 18 preschoolers to illustrate the teaching strategies and to personalize the approach. The guide's appendices include planning forms. Chapters in part 1 contain references totaling 36; part 2 concludes with 21 references. (KB)