Recognizing the valuable role nature plays in human development as well as humans' responsibility toward the earth is critically important when considering how to transform education for the betterment of the individual and society. In this article, the author views nature as a force or phenomenon of the metaphysical world. As such, she suggests…

In an attempt to meet the growing professional development needs of early childhood practitioners in North Carolina, Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) is reaching out to the rural areas of North Carolina by offering programs that will certify North Carolina teachers in birth through kindergarten education (BKE). In this article, the author…

Describes how three schools applied "Writing to Read," a computerized writing and reading program, in kindergarten and first grade. (HOD)

Describes the enthusiastic support of parents and early childhood educators for including computer activities in programs for young children in Hong Kong. Describes the current status of computer environments in Hong Kong kindergartens, noting the lack of curriculum guidelines for integrating computers into classrooms, the lack of resources to…

Describes the curriculum activities in one child-centered, developmentally appropriate child care facility preschool classroom. Explains how activities are selected according to children's needs, interest, and ability, and how activities address the kindergarten core competencies mandated by the North Carolina public school system. Asserts that…

Describes the typical kindergarten day as experienced by one child in the German-speaking region of Switzerland. Illustrates the main goal of kindergarten as preparing children for school rather than teaching reading, writing, or written numeracy. Focuses on the oral language learning approach incorporating teacher- and child-initiated activities.…

Describes the daily preschool day and the curriculum for kindergarten children in one Russian city. Asserts that Russian preschool education is concerned with balancing young children's physical and intellectual development and is determined to work with parents to help nurture children. (KB)

Describes the four levels of the early childhood education system in Cuba. Includes information on home visit programs for new parents, child care programs, preschool programs, programs for 5-year-olds, and primary school programs. Emphasizes that parents, relatives, teachers, and the larger community share the responsibility of educating young…

Maintains that full-day kindergarten programs can derive at least part of their curriculum from the diverse gifts of social and cultural knowledge that children bring to the classroom. Includes a description of a kindergarten class that explored the topic of grandparents. (BB)

Describes the assumptions and principles of emergent literacy and establishes the need to reconceptualize kindergarten practice in the area of literacy education. Conclusions drawn from a series of studies of current kindergarten practice in a large midwestern state are considered. (BB)

Discusses the development, implementation and implications of the Parent Assisted Reading Program at the Sunrise School in northern Utah which serves half-day kindergarten children. This program was designed to increase volunteer participation by parents in early (storybook) reading activities in the schools. (BB)

Reviews research on literature discussion groups, which suggests that groups allow readers to bring personal experiences to and take meaning from books, and young readers come to deeper levels of understanding. Discusses the use of literature groups in a kindergarten classroom, focusing on the teacher's use of and responses to literature, and the…

Defines the position of the Association for Childhood Education International on the role of kindergarten in a child's development. Provides specific information on the purpose of kindergarten, program goals, program content, program implementation, role of play, appropriate physical environment, textbook and material selection, kindergarten…