This volume contains the operating instructions for the most extensive program of group upbringing in human history. Over 10 percent of all Soviet children under 2 years of age are currently enrolled in public nurseries, and about 20 percent of children between 3 and 6 attend preschool. Enrollment is primarily limited by the number of available places, with demand far exceeding supply. In Moscow, for instance, only 50 percent of all applicants can be accepted, despite the city likely having more facilities than any other in the Soviet Union.

In the U.S.S.R., communal child-rearing facilities have been in use since the nation’s inception. The program significantly expanded a decade ago with the creation of a new type of preschool institution, the yasli-sad, or crèche-kindergarten, which caters to children from two months to seven years old (when they begin regular school). The same Party resolution that established the yasli-sad also commissioned the development of a new, detailed curriculum for all preschool institutions in the U.S.S.R. The responsibility for preparing this program was given to both the Academy of Pedagogical Sciences and the Academy of Medical Sciences. This manual represents the result of that joint effort, first published in 1962 and revised in 1965. The latter version is presented here in translation.

Many thanks to Vikram for these scans and Sarit Sharma from Aavishkar for providing the access to the book. Also thanks to Priyanshu and Ashwani from Aavishakar team.

You can get Vol 1 here and here

You can get Vol 2 here and here

Contents Vol 1

Foreword v

Introduction by Urie Bronfenbrenner ix

Preface to the Russian Edition xxi

Introduction to the Text 1

I. The First Infant Group / first year of the child’s life 7

II. The Second Infant Group / second year of the child’s life 23

III. The First Younger Group / third year of the child’s life 35

IV. The Second Younger Group / fourth year of the child’s life 51

V. The Middle Group / fifth year of the child’s life 75

VI. The Older Group / sixth year of the child’s life 99

VII. The School Preparatory Group / seventh year of the child’s life 133

Appendix / model daily schedules for the different age groups 173

Contents Vol 2

Preface v
Introduction by Urie Bronfenbrenner 1

I. Concerning the Program of Instruction in the Kindergarten 7

II. The Care and Upbringing of Infants 11

III. The Care and Upbringing of Children During the First Year of Life 13

IV. The Care and Upbringing of Children in the Second Year of Life 39

V. The Care and Instruction of Children in their Third Year of Life 73

VI. The Education of Children from 3 to 7 Years Old 129

VII. Play and the Organization of the Children’s Lives 209