Some of the parallels in development between young children and young adolescents are explored, and ways in which approaches used in early childhood education can be applied to programs for young adolescents are suggested. In a comparison of the characteristics of the child and the adolescent, similarities are found in physical, intellectual, social, and emotional developmental stages. The complexity of adolescents' reactions to the adult world of the adolescents' world of individual fears and and expectations are described. In applying the early childhood perspective to educational programs for adolescents, consideration is given to the standard values currently held by junior high school teachers and administrators. These values are often unrealistic and irrelevant from the adolescent viewpoint. Characteristics desirable in teachers of adolescents are defined, and the importance of flexibility in both the school environment and the curriculum is pointed out. An annotated bibliography describes 20 books and journal articles, supplements the text, and gives further information about adolescents. (JD)