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 practice. The series provides tips for change and suggestions for evaluating one's own program. An 8-minute introduction video includes information on using the videotapes individually or as a series with individual teachers/caregivers, small or large groups, or with networked programs. Tape 1, "Nurturing Growth: Child Growth and Development" (30 minutes), focuses on child development between 3 and 8 years and examines how best practices incorporate five developmental domains (physical/motor, cognitive, communicative/language, social/emotional, and aesthetic) and how caregivers and instructors plan for the interaction of these domains. Tape 2, "Places To Grow: Learning Environments" (26 minutes), focuses on room arrangement, scheduling, materials and equipment, and how adults interact with children. Tape 3, "The Seed of Learning: Play" (27 minutes), examines the role of play in the classroom, how children use play to understand their world, how play evolves as children learn to socialize with others, and how instructors and caregivers can use play to assess children's abilities. Tape 4, "An Idea Blossoms: Integrated Curriculum" (31 minutes), illustrates how teachers have successfully used an integrated curriculum in their classrooms, examines techniques for designing the process, and discusses the role of the teacher and child. Tape 5, "Charting Growth: Assessment" (25 minutes), demonstrates strategies for assessing children, including the profile of progress, the parent-teacher-child conference, and the early childhood assessment team. Tape 6, "Cultivating Roots: Partnership with Families" (22 minutes) presents information on how best practices in early childhood programs foster partnerships characterized by communication, support, learning, teaching one another, child advocacy, and decision making. Tape 7, "Seeds of Changes: Leadership and Staff Development" (34 minutes), explores ways to encourage teacher and staff growth while implementing best practices and focuses on how teachers have organized, analyzed, and implemented best practices in their individual schools. (KB)