Education for a civil society how guidance teaches young children democratic life skills

For a long-lasting solution to the issue of incivility in modern life, it is time to look anew at the social and cultural purposes of schooling. Education that prepares the whole child for modern, democratic society incorporates the best practices of early childhood education. Under the umbrella term popularized by NAEYC, developmentally appropriate practice (see Copple & Bredekamp 2009), three aspects essential in meeting the needs of all children are particularly relevant to promoting the democratic life skills:- Reciprocal and respectful family-teacher partnerships- Curriculum and teaching methods aligned with principles of child (and brain) development- Teacher-child interactions and relationships that guide children toward prosocial behaviors (the practice of guidance as opposed to discipline) Excerpted from Education for a Civil Society: How Guidance Teaches Young Children Democratic Life Skills by Dan Gartrell All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.