Abstract
We are witnessing today in America a phenomenal growth in early childhood education. The number of states making kindergarten mandatory is increasing rapidly, as is the number of states and communities offering public school education for 4-year-old children. Unfortunately, while opportunity can be legislated, quality of program cannot. All too many preschool programs are basing their curricula upon modified primary programs of the kind Silberman (1970) decries in Crisis in the Classroom for being dull and joyless. One curriculum suggests the following for the fall months:
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Arithmetic: Introduction of numerals 0–5, worksheets, games on the chalkboard, exercises on the feltboard. Introduction to commercial arithmetic blocks.
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Reading: Alphabet recognition and sounds. Games with initial consonant sounds.
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Social studies: People and animals prepare for cold weather. Columbus Day—dramatic plays and crafts centered around voyage. Halloween—stories of ghosts and witches.
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4.
Art: Boat pictures.
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© 1977 Plenum Press, New York
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Lavatelli, C.S. (1977). Environment, Experience, and Equilibration. In: Appel, M.H., Goldberg, L.S. (eds) Topics in Cognitive Development. Topicsin Cognitive Development. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-4175-8_9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-4175-8_9
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