Linda Kunesh

Linda Kunesh, former director of Early Childhood and Family Education at North Central Regional Educational Laboratory, discusses five developmentally appropriate practices that educators can use to promote school readiness. Excerpted from the video series Schools That Work: The Research Advantage, videoconference #5, Meeting Children's Needs (North Central Regional Educational Laboratory, 1992).

"There are five main ideas we want to share with you today about developmentally appropriate practice, and what schools can to do get ready for children. First, teachers need a fundament understanding of child development and of how children learn. Second, teachers need to change from highly controlled, teacher directed instruction, to a more teacher-child interactive, facilitative approach. Third, the environment must be rich in learning materials and opportunities for child initiated activities, since we know children learn best with hand on manipulation of real objects. Fourth, curriculum needs to be realistic, meaningful, integrated and thematically organized. Authentic paths are used, rather than fill in the blank worksheets. And finally, appropriate assessment procedures rely on teacher observation and children's demonstration through portfolios or other more authentic means, rather than only on standardized, multiple choice achievement tests."

This Critical Issue was researched and written by Jeanette Vo-Vu, program specialist with the Center for School and Community Development, North Central Regional Educational Laboratory, in collaboration with Judy Caplan, coordinator of school and family partnerships with the Center for School and Community Development, North Central Regional Educational Laboratory, and Lynne Huske, Pathways coordinator.

Date posted: 1999