This guide for teachers and parents examines child development knowledge, the origins of developmental curriculum, and approaches to implementing such a curriculum in elementary schools. Part one discusses how children develop, the historical background of developmental curricula, the differences between age level and grade level, and the behavioral characteristics of children ages 5 through 7. Part two defines the developmental curriculum, explains the physical environment needed to realize this curriculum, discusses what to teach, and outlines a planning process to implement developmental curriculum. Part three discusses what goes on in a developmental classroom, stressing the importance of student responsibility and peer interaction, and addresses parent-teacher relations and teacher attitudes and reflections on a developmental curriculum. A 94-item annotated bibliography and a list of 18 catalogs of instructional and teacher resource materials are included. (MDM)