Unlike units and themes in the early childhood and primary curriculum, projects are defined as children's in-depth investigations of various topics--ideally, topics worthy of the children's time and energy. As increasing numbers of teachers and school districts incorporate project work into their curriculum, questions have been raised about what…

This collection of essays and interviews documents the unique approach to early childhood education taken by schools in the Reggio Emilia region of Italy. Howard Gardner and David Hawkins provide reflections in chapters that begin the book. The book is then divided into four major parts. Part I includes an introduction by Carolyn Edwards and…

This preschool curriculum was developed by a local task force in Lower Kuskokwim School District, Alaska. The task force based their work on the book "Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs Serving Children from Birth through Age 8," on input from district parents of young children, and on the recommendations of a…

The book summarizes the current state of knowledge concerning language development in children with Down Syndrome (DS). The first chapter reviews language development in normal children, noting such stages as gestures, first sounds, development of understanding, first spoken words, and the two-word stage. The next chapter examines language skills…

Most of the chapters in this book grew out of the Conference on the Academic Performance of Minority Children held at Cornell University in 1982. Six hypotheses about minority school achievement are presented. After a general introduction by Ulric Neisser, John Ogbu describes the effects of caste and argues that black school children are preparing…

Based on a seminal classroom research project directed by Dr. Donald Graves, as well as on the experiences of numerous children, teachers, parents, and researchers around the world, this book shows what can happen when teachers and parents realize that every child can write. Although the book is the result of a collaboration, the two authors have…

This master's thesis examines the Montessori Method as it relates to social learning theory. Much of the subject matter grew out of an attempt to synthesize Montessori methodology and social learning principles in a Montessori school. Chapter I discusses the requirements of quality educational intervention and provides a historical overview of the…

This paper discusses preschool teacher competencies and personality traits but makes no attempt to establish a picture of an ideal teacher. Five personal qualities necessary for success with young children--good physical and mental health, fondness and respect for children, a sympathetic understanding of their capacities and ways of growing, an…

Intended to suggest types of early childhood education programs which may be implemented in rural areas at reasonable cost and which capitalize upon the rural environment's unique characteristics, this booklet describes 12 programs (many of which use Elementary and Secondary Education Title I or III funds) currently operating in rural areas. The…

This handbook is one of seven publications designed to implement the Home-Oriented Preschool Education (HOPE) Program, which uses televised, mobile classroom, and parent instruction to educate 3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds. It describes ways to help the teacher and aide equip the mobiel classroom, schedule its visits, enroll the children, and prepare…

The results of the author's year and a half spent observing and analyzing 47 British state schools for young children are presented. The practice and process, the history and theory of informal education in England's primary schools are examined. Through descriptions of actual episodes, scenes, and schedules for British children up to age eight,…

The Western Institute for Science and Technology, operating since 1968, has had as its objective taking certain of the most promising of the techniques emerging from educational research, combining them, and testing their validity by implementing them in selected school situations. Vanguard, the instructional model which has emerged from this…

How Czechoslovakians are trying to deal with the problem of educational failure and pupils' under-achievement in the elementary grades is discussed. For examples, a new comprehensive kindergarten system has been introduced, child development is carefully analyzed at the pre-school level, special educational classes are provided, and leisure clubs…

Teacher action research using both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection were used to examine impacts of using visual learning strategies on five preschool children (ages 3-5) with autism in a self-contained classroom. During the six weeks of the study, pictures representing nine learning areas and specific developmental…

The Step by Step program was begun in 1994 as an experiment linking sound early childhood educational practice with concepts of democracy to create learning environments in which children practice choice and learn critical thinking skills, and in which parents actively participate in their child's education. This manual expands the program to…