This document proposes the project approach as one element of early childhood education that can function in a complementary relationship to other aspects of the early childhood curriculum. The term "project" is defined as an extended investigation of a topic that is of interest to participating children and judged worthy of attention by their teachers. Projects involve the application of a variety of intellectual, academic, and social skills and competencies. The project approach builds self-confidence, encourages creativity and other dispositions, and offers opportunities for children and parents to work closely together in support of the school program. The theoretical rationale for the project approach is based both on a specific view of the main goals of education and on a developmental approach to implementing those goals. The goals are: (1) the construction and acquisition of worthwhile knowledge; (2) the development of a wide variety of basic intellectual and social skills; (3) the strengthening of desirable dispositions; and (4) the engendering of positive feelings in children about themselves as learners and as participants in group endeavors. Each of these goals is defined, and the principles of practice they imply are then discussed in terms of what is understood about young children's development and learning. Guidelines for implementing project work are provided and a model of a specific project is presented. (SH)