Forest kindergartens are a new idea in the United States but have been around in Germany, Norway, and other European countries for decades. Forest "kindergartens" are preschools for children ages 3-6 and focus on being outdoors and learning through interacting with nature. Instead of building with blocks or doing puzzles at a table…

An overview of research and evaluation developments concerning Head Start, preschool education, and day care during the past decade is provided. Possible ramifications for the future are shown from the reexamination of early education programs. (JN)

This book aims to provide a comprehensive history and analysis of the operation and evolution of Project Head Start. The volume consists of 23 original articles covering program history, the preschool education and developmental components of Head Start, and Head Start program development and evaluation. In Part One, the historical roots of Head…

This book documents the history, successes, and failures of Save the Children's farmworker program in Zimbabwe, 1981-98. The report explores workers' past and present living and working conditions on commercial farms and describes how the program promoted a progression from workers with a migrant mentality to the building of functional…

Writing development in preschool children has only recently begun to receive attention; however, Russian researchers dealt with the subject in the 1920s and 30s. Arguing that writing was a fundamental assist to cognitive growth as well as a tool for communication, Lev Vygotsky believed that the preschool child was ready to be taught writing.…

The paper explores special education in Australia during the period 1970-80. Separate sections discuss the following aspects: (1) beginnings of special education in Australia, (2) early developments in public provision for the education of handicapped children, (3) progress in the provision for special education during 1970-80 (including such…

Thirty-five unpublished booklets on Montessori music education conceived by Maria Montessori and authored by her music consultant, Anna Maria Maccheroni, are discussed. They extend the brief portion devoted to music in Montessori publications and result in a comprehensive and distinctive music education program. (Author/IS)

Seeks to explain why the kindergarten movement, in theory and in practice, found greater support in the United States than in Germany, the country of its origin. Concludes that this kindergarten case study shows the importance of comparative studies to our understanding of the relationship of women's status and feminist ideology to other aspects…

Certain economic theories can help explain the rise to prominence of parent participation preschools in the 1950s and help to make predictions about their future. Specifically, the long-wave cycle of economic behavior and its explanation of social systems and innovations can be useful. One popular approach is that of the Soviet economist Nikolai…

Traces the wide-ranging activities of female African American educators from the 16th century to modern times. Highlights black women's efforts to establish schools, develop curriculum, organize literacy clubs, promote the Lyceum movement, investigate day care facilities, and establish graduate programs. Many black women's teaching careers began…

Presents a short biography of Helen Heffernan, who is remembered for her years of service in the California State Department of Education, during which she developed educational programs that significantly influenced public education at every level. Heffernan developed programs for rural education, progressive education, kindergarten and preschool…

Traces the history of the infusion of rhythmic movement into preschool and elementary school music programs. Contrasts a progressive approach which taught that movement was essential in teaching music and a conservative view that rhythmic response was genetically determined and could not be developed through training. (DK)

The social history of the Free Kindergarten Union of the State of Victoria, Australia, from inception in 1908 to the year 1980 is recorded in this book. Growth of the union is described within the context of the World Wars, the Depression, and urbanization and industrialization. The story begins with volunteerism and philanthropy, and with four…

Most studies on the history of educational ideas have focused on what influential educational theorists and policy-makers have said and written at particular times, constructing a "view from the top." The project from which this article is derived focused on the ways theoretical debates have been "lived" by teachers in New…

During the decade 1920-1930 the number of nursery schools reported to the United States Office of Education increased from 3 to 262. This last number does not comprise the total number of nursery schools in the United States, but the increase from 3 to 262 in the number reported indicates their rapid growth. This evident interest in nursery…