Abstract
Connections are shown between recent findings in brain research and principles of Developmentally Appropriate Practices to explore the implications for early childhood learning environments and teaching practices. New research on how the growing mind learns appears to bear out the value of NAEYC's constructivist approach to early childhood education where environments are designed to gain the learner's attention, foster meaningful connections with prior understanding, and maximize both short- and long-term memory through patterns and active problem solving. Each unique learner needs to feel challenged, but not fearful, so that stimulating experiences result in an exchange of ideas and promote deeper understanding.
Similar content being viewed by others
REFERENCES
Adams, M. J. (1990). Beginning to read: Thinking and learning about print. Urbana-Champaign, IL: The Reading Research and Educa tion Center.
Bredekamp, S., & Copple, C. (1997). Developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood programs (Rev. ed). Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Burts, D., Hart, C., Charlesworth, R., & Kirk, L. (1990). A comparison of frequencies of stress behaviors observed in kindergarten chil dren in classrooms with developmentally appropriate versus de velopmentally inappropriate instructional practices. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 5, 407–423.
Burts, D., Hart, C., Charlesworth, R., DeWolf, D., Ray, J., Manuel K., & Fleege, P. (1993). Developmental appropriateness of kindergarten programs and academic outcomes in first grade. Journal of Research in Childhood Education, 8(1), 23–31.
Caine, R. N., & Caine, G. (1997). Education on the edge of possibility. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
Dewey, J. (1964). The relation of theory to practice in education. In R. Archamault (Ed.), John Dewey on education: Selected writings (pp. 313–338). New York: Random House.
Diamond, M., & Hopson, J. (1998). Magic trees of the mind: How to nurture your child's intelligence, creativity, and healthy emotions from birth through adolescence. New York: Penguin Putnam.
Dunn, L., Beach, S., & Kontos, S. (1994). Quality of the literacy environment in day care and children's development. Journal of Research in Childhood Education, 9(1), 24–34.
Elkind, D. (1981). The hurried child. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.
Erikson, E. H. (1963). Childhood and society. New York: Norton.
Fitzpatrick, S. (1995). Smart brains: Neuroscientists explain the mystery of what makes us human. American School Board Journal.
Frede, E., & Barnett, W. S. (1992). Developmentally appropriate public school preschool: A study of implementation of the High/ Scope curriculum and its effects on disadvantaged children's skills at first grade. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 7, 483–499.
Gardner, H. (1993). Multiple intelligences: The theory in practice. New York: Basic Books.
Graves, D. (1983). Writing: Teachers and children at work. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
Hirsh-Pasek, K., Hyson, M., & Rescorla, L. (1990). Academic environments in preschool: Do they pressure or challenge young children? Early Education and Development, 1, 401–423.
Hyson, M., Hirsh-Pasek, K., & Rescorla, L. (1990). The classroom practices inventory: An observation instrument based on NAEYC's guidelines for developmentally appropriate practices for 4-and 5-year-old children. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 5, 475–494.
Jensen, E. (1998). Teaching with the brain in mind. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
Kasten, W., & Clark, B. (1993). The multi-age classroom: A family of learners. New York: Richard C. Owen Publishers.
Kostelnik, M., Soderman, A., & Whiren, A. (1993). Healthy young children: A manual for programs. New York: Macmillan.
LaDoux, J. (1996). The emotional brain: The mysterious underpinnings of emotional life. New York: Simon & Schuster.
Piaget, J. (1952). The origins of intelligence in children. Toronto: George J. McLeod.
Piaget, J., & Inhelder, B. (1969). The psychology of the child. New York: Basic Books.
Rushton, S. (in press). A developmentally appropriate and brain-based compatible learning environment. Young Children.
Sherman, C., & Mueller, D. (1996, June). Developmentally appropriate practice and student achievement in inner-city elementary schools. Paper presented at Head Start's Third National Research Conference, Washington, DC. (ED 401 354)
Sorgen, M. (1999, June). Applying brain research to classroom practice. Materials presented at the University of South Florida Brain/ Mind Connections Conference, Sarasota, FL.
Spodek, B. (Ed.). (1993). The handbook of research on the education of young children. New York: Teachers College Press.
Snow, C. E., Tabors, P. O., & Nicholson, P. A. (1995, Fall/Winter). SHELL: Oral language and early literacy skills in kindergarten and first grade children. Journal of Research in Childhood Education, 10, 37–48.
Sroufe, L. A., Cooper, R. G., & DeHart, G. G. (1992). Child development: Its nature and course (2nd ed.). New York: Knopf.
Sylwester, R. (1997). The neurobiology of self-esteem and aggression. Educational Leadership, 54(5), 75–79.
Vygotsky, L. (1967). Play and its role in the mental development of the child. Soviet Psychology, 12, 62–76.
Weaver, C. (1990). Understanding whole language: From principles to practice. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
Wolfe, J., & Brandt, R. (1998). What we know from brain research. Educational Leadership, 56(3), 8–14.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Rushton, S., Larkin, E. Shaping the Learning Environment: Connecting Developmentally Appropriate Practices to Brain Research. Early Childhood Education Journal 29, 25–33 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011304805899
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011304805899