Noting that early childhood education is recognized as critical to a child's educational career, this 7-part videotape series focuses on developmentally appropriate practices in the components of quality early childhood programs, providing an opportunity for acquiring working knowledge, observing classroom models, and reflecting on one's own…

In 1999, a task force was appointed to develop early childhood education (ECE) program expectations or standards for New Jersey's ECE programs. The standards were based on the task force's review of research, curricula, standards, and guidelines developed by local boards of education, other states, and professional organizations; feedback on draft…

This chapter is a part of a book that recounts the year's work at the Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) at Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi. Rather than an "elitist" laboratory school for the children of university faculty, the dual-language ECDC is a collaboration between the Corpus Christi Independent School District…

This set of training videotapes teaches the key points of the "Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs--Revised Edition." The videos present more than 3 hours of programming produced in short stand- alone programs ranging in length from 3 to 20 minutes. The videos are designed to be used in a variety of ways to stimulate…

The Head Start on Science and Communication Program (HSSC) is a model that fosters science learning for young children through a systematic approach to language development. The HSSC program emphasizes the development of language skills through an explicit teacher-directed and exploratory child-centered approach to acquiring science knowledge and…

Examines the need to help rural youth become employable in today's changing circumstances, especially young adolescents in middle school programs. Discusses elements in effective School-to-Employment (STE) programs, basic job skills appropriate to middle-school exploratory STE programs, and the need for program articulation between middle and high…

Proposes a model of developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) that includes culturally appropriate practice (DCAP). Suggests that teacher preparation must readdress cross-cultural child development and learning style; reintroduce self-awareness and ways of understanding and valuing the study of culture, ethnicity, and teaching; and restructure…

Provides guidelines for teachers in inclusive classrooms to help children with disabilities learn language and communication skills during everyday activities and routines. Key elements described include collaboration among team members, collecting naturalistic assessment data, developing activity-based objects, preparing an activity matrix, and…

Describes one effort to integrate the early school experience of young children into comprehensive networks of support for children and their families. Suggests integration of services for children ages birth to 6 years, addresses problems related to a wide range of family characteristics, supports public school and community collaborative…

Examines how the terms "child development knowledge" and "teacher preparation" have come to be understood in ways that place limits on how we think about children and the preparation of teachers. Illustrates some of the differences between modernism and postmodernism, then considers why a universal practice premised on a universal theory of…

Purpose: The purpose of the Nutrition Education Students and Teachers (NEST) project was to develop a model of collaboration between University of Delaware dietetics students and elementary teachers to promote nutrition education in the classroom. Design/methodology/approach: Junior and senior level students in a nutrition education course…

This paper describes the current debate over developmentally appropriate teaching practice. The paper presents the perspective of multicultural educators, who argue that developmentally appropriate practice is biased toward white, middle-class values, and the perspective of special educators, who argue that modification of developmentally…

This book, addressed to the caregiver/teacher, is designed as a practical guide for planning a quality child-care program for children ages 5 to 12. It is divided into four sections. Section 1, The People in Child Care, gives an overview of child care and its participants. A variety of programs for school-age children are presented, covering a…

Head Start grantees play a critical role in the development and testing of new program approaches and service delivery models. This survey of program initiatives covers both Head Start program initiatives and developmentally appropriate curriculum materials. Each section includes an overview and profiles of programs, including grantee address,…

The School-Age Care Environment Rating Scale (SACERS) presented in this booklet is a comprehensive rating scale for school-age child care programs that is based on criteria for developmental appropriateness for this age group. The SACERS is intended to be used in center-based care rather than in family child care homes. The booklet begins with an…