Intended for all those involved in planning and carrying out activities with 3- to 5-year-old children, this text provides a practical guide to creating a "Growing Program" -- a planned, flexible, evolving educational environment of things, people, and activities for preschool children. Based on continuous observation by teachers of children's needs, progress and problems, each developing Growing Program will be ultimately unique. The sections of the guide initially focus on selecting educational goals and developing and implementing a philosophy of teaching. The focus then shifts to a discussion of child development and teaching. Guides for observing and recording children's behavior and for individualizing instruction are provided. Subsequent sections of the guide focus on the following: selecting, setting up, supervising, and evaluating activity areas; choosing activities; procuring and using materials; teaching techniques; teacher awareness of and use of space and time; staff development; parent participation; and mainstreaming. The final section provides a framework for self-assessment for those who have used the guide. (Author/RH)