David Elkind describes how varying images of children affect early childhood education programs. A thought-provoking keynote address from 1986. (NAEYC, 50 minutes)

A discussion with Constance Kamii. Clear, concrete explanation of Piaget’s theory of how children acquire knowledge. (NAEYC, 19 minutes)

This new research in brain development tells us of the vital importance of the relationship between caregiver and child in the critical first years of life. (The Reiner Foundation, 28 minutes)

A documentary that explains how our earliest interactions with children influence brain development. (McCormick Tribune Foundation, 60 minutes)

Testing and Tracking #105

In this 1989 conference keynote, Asa G. Hilliard III, nationally known expert on standardized testing, calls for a major shift in our thinking on the use of testing-a move away from classifying and sorting to diagnosing and improving instruction. (NAEYC, 55 minutes)

See also:

Developmentally Appropriate Practice: Birth Through Age 5 Curriculum

Tools for Teaching Developmentally Appropriate Practice Curriculum

Based on NAEYC’s accreditation criteria, this video illustrates the essential components of a high-quality group program for young children. Excellent for parents deciding how to choose child care and as an overview for students and staff. (NAEYC, 20 minutes)

This video demonstrates strategies for assessing children’s development and learning: the profile of progress; the parent/teacher/child conference; and the early childhood assessment team. (NAEYC, 30 minutes)

Follows teachers in two programs as they redesign their classrooms and evaluate their roles to have a child-centered curriculum. (Harvest Resources, 24 minutes)

Every day, teachers are faced with challenges that arise during transition times, arrival/departure, naptime, toileting, when children must move as a group, or when a toddler bites. This video offers specific techniques to help ease these challenges. (NAEYC, 28 minutes)

The fundamentals of developmentally appropriate practice for all children are demonstrated. (NAEYC, 28 minutes)

Discipline: Appropriate Guidance of Young Children (2 copies) #206 & #919

Illustrates how positive guidance of young children toward healthy social and emotional development is the foundation of a good early childhood program. (NAEYC, 28 minutes)

Shows how adults help children manage their behavior in an encouraging, nurturing, and positive manner while supporting each child’s self-esteem. (NAEYC, 28 minutes)

Focuses on the importance of the classroom environment, how the room is arranged, organization of space, scheduling of time, types of materials and equipment, and how adults interact with children. (NAEYC, 30 minutes)

Careful observation gives teachers insight into what children know, what they are beginning to learn and where their interests lie. A useful introduction to documenting children’s learning in the classroom context. (NAEYC, 20 minutes)

See also:

Classroom Close-ups: Organization & Management Primary Grades

Classroom Environments Primary Grades

The High/Scope Curriculum: The Plan-Do-Review Process Curriculum

Kindergarten: A Year of Learning for Five Year Olds Curriculum

See how computers can be a viable part of quality programs, enhancing learning in developmentally appropriate ways. (NAEYC, 10 minutes)

Illustrates how three teachers use an integrated curriculum to meet individual children’s needs. Examines planning techniques, as well as the role for the teacher in implementing an integrated curriculum. (NAEYC, 30 minutes)

This video examines how children acquire knowledge and skills through block play. Describes skills and the stages of building. (NAEYC, 20 minutes)

A Children’s Journey: Investigating the Fire Truck Hosted by Shar Wood #903

Outlines the project approach to learning in a 3-phase structure. Shows how investigation and research by children are basic to the project approach. Produced by Center for Best Practices in Early Childhood Education STARnet Regions I&III, Western IL Univ., Macomb IL.

The Creative Curriculum For Early Childhood by Diane Trister Dodge #904

Demonstrates the power of a well-planned environment. Scenes of children working and playing in seven learning centers capture the essence of the creative curriculum. Teaches staff to use their environments to support their curriculum. (37 min.)

A discussion with Lillian Katz. What is appropriate for four and five year olds? (NAEYC, 16 minutes)

Learn the benefits of dramatic play for children’s development and across the curriculum. Gain ideas for prop boxes ad thematic play and see the important role of adults in supporting dramatic play. (NAEYC, 28 minutes)

Today many children enter early childhood programs with home languages other than English. This video explores the importance of supporting children’s home language while helping them learn English and gives strategies for helping young children become bilingual learners. Produced by RISE (Resources and Instruction in Staff Excellence in Cincinnati) 21 min.

Depicts teachers and children in action in developmentally appropriate programs. Also points out inappropriate practices. Based on NAEYC’s position statement, this video is valuable for teachers, directors and parents. (NAEYC, 27 minutes)

Gather excellent ideas for your classroom from Greek educator and artist Eli Trimis. (High/Scope: 1996, 34 minutes)

Emergent Literacy "Origins and Skills" with Rhoda Olenick (29 minutes) #907

Produced by Magna Systems Inc. This video show teachers and children in action in the classroom, then interviews teachers to explain selection of methods, material, & strategies. Defines emergent literacy.

Emergent Literacy "Role of Parents and Teachers" with Rhoda Olenick (29minutes) #908

Visits 3 sets of parents. Shows how parents adjust their teaching to the ability of their children. Explains what teachers and parents contribute to the literacy of children.

Emergent Literacy "Teacher Strategies and Assessment" with Rhoda Olenick (29 minutes) #909

Explains criteria for choosing books and materials, provides strategies for appropriate assessment.

Emergent Literacy "Activities in a Print Rich Environment" with Rhoda Olenick (29 minutes) #910

Outlines environment and activities that contribute to literacy.

This 1989 video depicts the plan-do-review process at work in a preschool, childcare and special needs setting. (High/Scope, 20 minutes)

All aspects of the kindergarten classroom: room arrangement with emphasis on learning centers, daily scheduling and appropriate instructional techniques and materials are explored. (SECA, 28 minutes)

Tired of Duck, Duck, Goose? This program suggests several new, simple games that offer enjoyable, noncompetitive, structured physical activity. (NAEYC, 28 minutes)

Examine the role of play in the classroom, how children use play to better understand the world, how play evolves as children acquire social competence, how teachers can support children’s play, using play as a means for assessing children’s abilities. (NAEYC, 30 minutes)

Examine how a child’s first hand experience with sensory exploration contributes to overall development. (NAEYC, 18 minutes)

See how a child’s interest in a song about the Titanic grows into an exciting classroom project. Witness emerging artistic expression and representation, scientific knowledge, language development and social skills that grow through this project. (Harvest Resources, 19 minutes)

Demonstrates ways of making ordinary and commonplace natural phenomena into exciting learning experiences for young children. (NAEYC, 18 minutes)

Thinking Big: Extending Emergent Curriculum Projects (26 min) #920

In depth projects for preschoolers. Find out how to set the stage for learning thru projects that can extend throughout the year.

Tools for Teaching Developmentally Appropriate Practice: The Leading Edge in Early Childhood Education

This 1998 four-video series teaches the key points of NAEYC’s best-selling, recently revised Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs:

Introduction to Developmentally Appropriate Practice #315-I

Developmentally Appropriate Practice-Our Commitment to Children; Framing-A Way to Deal with Complexity and Paradox; The Community Garden; Early Childhood Teacher as Decision Maker.  (41 minutes)

The Principles of Child Development and Learning, Part I   #315-II

Whole Child; Sequential Development; Individual Differences; Windows of Opportunity; Toward Complexity & Internalization; Multiple Social & Cultural Contexts.  (35 minutes)

The Principles of Child Development and Learning, Part II  #315-III

Nurturing Relationships; Nature & Nurture; Active & Meaningful Learning; Growing Edge; Ways of Knowing; Play.  (42 minutes)

Guidelines for Early Childhood Teaching Practices  #315-IV

The Mariner’s Star; Creating a Caring Community of Learners; Teaching to Enhance Development & Learning; Constructing Appropriate Curriculum; Assessing Children’s Learning & Development; Establishing Reciprocal Relationships with Families.  (71 minutes)

Visiting High/Scope’s Demonstration Preschool Series

These 1997 videos are full of tips and strategies for helping teachers make the most of High/Scope’s plan-work-recall process:

How Adults Support Children at Planning Time (19 minutes) #316

How Adults Support Children at Work Time (25 minutes)      #317

How Adults Support Children at Recall Time (19 minutes)     #318

See also:

Language & Literacy Primary Grades

Mathematics Primary Grades

Faith Stepping Stones  #401

Eight Simple yet powerful tools help you plan for dynamic family-centered ministry from cradle to graduation.  Featuring Rich Melheim and Dr. James Nestingen.  (Faith Inkubators, 45 minutes)

It Takes a Faith Community  #402

This inspiring video is designed to help individuals commit to making an impact on children’s ministry in congregations.  It provides the insights of a number of persons ministering to children in our church body.  (LCMS-DCM, 28 minutes)

Toddlin’ to Jesus  #403

This presentation gives a brief and motivating overview of the Toddlin’ to Jesus Bible class in Baton Rouge.  Interviews with family members and the teachers provide insights into the importance and benefits of ministry with young families and their babies. Book included. (LCMS-DCM, 15 minutes)

Babies and Child Care (with Burton White)   #501

Burton White describes the needs of infants.  This keynote address from the NAEYC 1986 Conference is for parents and teachers.  (NAEYC, 47 minutes)

Infant Curriculum: Great Explorations  #502

Focuses on stages of development from birth through 15 months, individual temperament and style, shaping the environment, and using routines to support an infant’s exploration.  (NAEYC, 20 minutes)

Seeing Infants with New Eyes   #503

Magda Gerber’s exemplary program dramatically illustrates how adult interactions with infants can make a difference.  (NAEYC, 26 minutes)

Toddler Curriculum: Making Connections  #504

This video examines how toddlers, 12 to 36 months of age, develop and learn.  It depicts developmentally appropriate curriculum in the toddler classroom.  (NAEYC, 20 minutes)

See also:

I am Your Child: The First Years Last Forever Child Development/Research

Toddlin’ to Jesus  Faith Development and Nurturing

Building Blocks: A Parent’s Guide   #601

Focuses on the practical steps to help parents do “positive parenting” with their children.  (formerly Lutheran Brotherhood/now Thrivent, 20 minutes)

Families: Quality Relationships in Changing Times

Explore the dynamics of families with Dr. Roland Martinson.  Each video has two 30 minutes segments.  Use these videos for adult forum discussions and parent education.  (Augsburg Fortress):

Volume 1: Families/Boundaries  #602

Families are our most prevalent institution, and often the most misunderstood.  Boundaries exist within every healthy family.

Volume 2: Atmosphere/Roles  #603

Looks at the forces that create a family’s emotional environment and the roles that each family member carries.

Volume 3: Rules/Faithfulness  #604

How are rules determined?  Healthy families make commitments.

Volume 4: Affirmation/Confrontation  #605

Explores attitudes and behaviors needed to nurture family growth, and develops skills for verbalizing differences.

Volume 5: Problem Solving/Forgiveness  #606

Explores the dynamics of power and illustrates effective problem-solving skills.  Looks at a process for forgiveness.

Volume 6: Consolation/Rituals  #607

Consolation is important to family support.  Rituals bring order out of chaos.

I Am Your Child Video Box Set   #912-#917

A five-video set from the I Am Your Child Foundation. Ideal for resource centers, lending libraries, child care resource and referral agencies, and as gifts for new parents. 20-30 min. each:

The First Years Last Forever hosted by Rob Reiner. Stresses the importance of the first three years of life in the healthy development of children. #912

Quality Child Care: Making the Right Choice for You and Your Child. Hosted by Maria Shriver. Addresses the questions parents should ask themselves and potential caregivers when choosing a child care provider. #913

Ready to Learn. Hosted by Jamie Lee Curtis and Levar Burton.  Describes ways families and caregivers can foster a literacy-rich environment that sparks a child’s interest in learning. #915

Safe from the Start.  Hosted by Floria Estefan. Shows how to make home and child care center environments as safe as possible. #916

Your Healthy Baby.  Hosted by Phylicia Rashned.  Offers advice on helping children establish healthy habits for life. #917

Raising Children in a Violent World   #608

Dr. Kathleen Chesto offers practical advice on how to counteract the dominancy of violence in our society within our own families.  She calls on parents to evaluate their lives and make choices that are in the best interest of their children.  (Twenty-Third Publications, 35 minutes)

The All-Time Great Parent Test   #609

Features five recent winners of the Kohl/McCormick Early Childhood Teaching Awards, who answer 12 important questions about child development.  (McCormick Tribune Foundation, 47 minutes)

Troubles and Triumphs at Home

Designed for parents of special needs children aged 2 through 5, this series will also be of interest to caregivers.  (High/Scope):  

When “I’ve Told You a Thousand Times” Isn’t Enough  #610

Strategies to minimize behavior problems.  (16 minutes)

Converting Conflict to Calm  #611

How to deal with the child’s need to be active and involved.  (20 minutes)

Let Them Do It  #612

Discusses the important learning that takes place when children are given household responsibilities.  (16 minutes)

Let Them Say It  #613

How Language development can be incorporated naturally into such common daily activities as bathing, cooking, dressing, cleaning.  (18 minutes)

See also:

Building Quality Child Care: An Overview  Classroom Environment/Management

Developmentally Appropriate Practice: Birth Through Age 5                  Curriculum

Active Learning   #701

Empower children to become independent problem solvers, critical thinkers and creative participants in a rapidly changing world.

Before and After School: Creative Experiences   #702

School age children can experience the responsibilities of independence within safe environments and with the support of caring and helpful adults.  (NAEYC, 28 minutes)

Classroom Close-ups: Organization and Management    #703

Learn how to create a learner-directed and collaborative classroom.  See a first grade class in action.  (The Wright Group, 32 minutes)

Classroom Close-ups: Guiding Young Authors   #704

See how teacher Bobbi Fisher uses choose-your-own-topic writing workshops to encourage her students to write everyday.  (The Wright Group)

Classroom Close-ups: Developing Young Readers   #705

Learn how to include reading in every aspect of the daily program.  Observe how guided instruction and shared literacy are blended with reading and with children.  (The Wright Group, 20 minutes)

Classroom Environments   #706

This video shows how to accommodate children’s physical growth, increase their intellectual growth, and foster social and emotional development in primary aged children.  (High/Scope, 17 minutes)

Developmentally Appropriate First Grade: A Community of Learning  #707

Spend a typical day in David Burchfield’s first grade classroom.  See how he translates the concept of developmentally appropriate practice into a thematic, interactive learning experience.  (NAEYC, 30 minutes)

Language & Literacy   #708

See how speaking and listening, writing and reading are integrated experiences in High/Scope K-3 classrooms.  This whole-language approach addresses the fundamentals of literacy.  (High/Scope, 17 minutes)

Mathematics   #709

Presents an overview of High/Scope’s developmentally appropriate and effective method of mathematics instruction.  (High/Scope, 14 minutes)                                

Celebrating Early Childhood Teachers   #801

An upbeat view of the role of the early childhood professional with a serious side concerning the problems in retaining qualified staff.  (NAEYC, 22 minutes)

Culture: Alive and Well in the Work Place   #802

A lively discussion about issues concerning culture in the workplace, including the meaning of culture, its impact and meeting the challenges of diverse cultures.  (NAEYC, 60 minutes)

Doing a Self-Study: Why and How?   #901

Help for directors and staff on how to conduct a self-study, the major step forward achieving NAEYC accreditation.  (NAEYC, 30 minutes)

Using the Early Childhood Classroom Observation   #902

How to use the observation scale that is part of the self-study package for NAEYC accreditation.  (NAEYC, 26 minutes)

Avoid the Pitfalls of Implementing Multi-age Classrooms with Jim Grant  #906

Nationally recognized, multi-age educator Jim Grant provides you with straight talk about creating multi-age classrooms in your school. He’ll tell you about the dozen most often made mistakes when creating a multi-age classroom: how multi-age grouping accommodates the inclusion of differently-abled children: grouping/combination practices that work in a mixed-age class room and the dos and don’ts of implementing a multi-age, continuous progress classroom.