While the middle school movement has gained legitimacy in recent years, attracting preservice teachers to the middle levels remains challenging. Essentially, attracting middle level preservice teachers is analogous to catching minnows in a bucket. As university faculty attempt to bait students into teaching young adolescents, grades 4-8,…

Studied perceived education interests, experiences, and learning preferences of parents of young children, usefulness of group characteristics in planning parent education as evidenced by a needs assessment process, and the importance of such a process. Found (1) parental interest in parenting help; (2) parental education level effects on learning…

Notes that children and adolescents appear to suffer the most detrimental effects of homelessness. Discusses the problems faced by homeless youth and the educational systems that must respond to them, including causes and demographics of homelessness, detrimental effects of shelters, the victimization of homeless adolescents, and educational and…

Summarizes major presentations of the 17th World Congress of the World Organization for Early Childhood Education (OMEP). The opening address asks the question "Should an individual's original cultural identity be continued and reinforced when that person becomes a permanent resident in an alien culture?" Workshops, displays, projects, and…

Reports on some of the major issues addressed during the l8th World Congress of OMEP (Organisation Mondiale de l'Education Prescolaire). Topics discussed included maternal and infant malnutrition; social dynamics in developing (and developed) countries; the messages of high technology for children and the quality of life. (BB)

Reviews three computer software programs for classroom use: Muppet Word Book, for children three to six; Dragon Game Series, on parts of speech, for students in grades four through high school; and Chemistry Achievement I, for students who are 16 to 18 years old, or in grades 10 to 12. (BB)

Reports on day-care and preschool programs in Czechoslovakia and East Germany, describing infant-toddler care, preschool programs, research projects, parent involvement, and future trends. (DB)

Briefly outlines suggestions by a panel of adolescents which are addresed to adults discussing the problems of children and their families at the 1979 World Congress of Mental Health in Austria. The role of communication, trust, honesty and cooperation between parents and children was emphasized. (CM)

Examines evidence relating to factors that affect the quality and maturity of children's play and discusses three resources parents can readily use to enrich play: adult involvement, materials, and time. Explains parent roles of play initiator, coplayer, and play facilitator. Offers guidelines for the selection of toys and playthings and for…

Examines technology available to educators and the current trend toward school change. Sees complementary paths for both. While computers are changing thought organization and opening new avenues for learning, schools are reorganizing to give children a sense of ownership and control over what they are doing. Overall, sees use of computers as a…

Presents an overview of childrearing practices in India, chronicles government initiatives in early childhood education, describes the range of programs available, and identifies goals that will shape the future of early childhood programs in that country. Identifies universal education, elevation of teacher status, and preservation of community…

This article describes how years of focusing on the talk of 4-year- olds in early intervention led to years of observing 1- through 3-year- olds learning to talk during their everyday interactions with their parents. Analysis reveals that the amount of children's language experiences as partners in conversation is crucial to development. (Contains…