Explores topics related to how families, schools, and communities can use communication to strengthen their partnerships. Discusses how communication empowers participants in a shared-learning process, and explores how attitudes shape communication efforts. Examines the role of culture in the communication process, focusing on how cultural…

This study examined the effects of child day care, evening care, and night care on the development and adaptation of young children in Japan. Caregivers completed a survey on the home childrearing environment, their feelings of self-efficacy, and the presence of child care support. Results of the discriminant analysis indicated that factors in the…

This interview study assessed the perspectives of low-income single mothers on selecting child care and their parent involvement experiences in Head Start. Findings indicated that collaboration between mothers and Head Start teachers enhanced mothers' self-development and learning with resulting positive effects for children, adult development as…

This study investigated Korean kindergartners' reasoning during group moral discussions of problematic situations based on pictures depicting problem situations. Findings revealed that young children were able to reason about others' perspectives, acknowledge problematic situations, grasp the causes of the problems, predict consequences, and seek…

This article describes seven dimensions of establishing a caring community at the University of Arkansas Nursery School in Fayetteville. Key components relate to the director setting the tone for the school, the instructor-student relationship, empathetic teacher-child interactions, empathetic teacher-parent interactions, celebration of…

This article focuses on the relevance of the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education for science knowledge and content standards for the preK-12 student population. The article includes: (1) a summary of key concepts; (2) a description of the science curriculum standards for K-3 in the United States; and (3) an example of an in-depth…

The Daycare Book-a-thon is a project that targets at-risk preschoolers, providing books donated from preservice teachers in a children's literature course along with bookmarks highlighting ways parents can read and extend the books with their children at home. Through this activity, preservice teachers come to understand the diverse student…

This study examined the impact of a literacy intervention comprised of four parent workshops about reading to children on preschoolers' receptive vocabulary. Findings indicated that children of parents attending the workshops had a significant 7- point increase in their Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test scores at a 7-month follow-up. Parent…

Discusses benefits of inclusion in preschool and compares educational practices of high-quality inclusive preschools in the United States with those characterizing the Reggio Emilia approach. Offers recommendations for better serving children with special needs in inclusive settings, including viewing teachers as researchers, and using…

This study surveyed 253 military families with children who have disabilities to determine if they experienced difficulties in adapting to military life. Responses indicated that 25 percent of children with disabilities were 3 years or younger and 75 percent were age 4 through 6 years. Twenty-one families reported not having adjusted to military…

Discusses the impact of commercialism on American public schools, arguing that commercialism imperils the democratic nature of public schools and compromises the goals of quality education for all children. Maintains that education's larger purposes diverge tremendously from those of the business community and that in-school advertising results in…

Presents information for parents on children's language development prior to speaking the first word, focusing on infants' readiness to learn language. Describes ways parents can support the development of language as a social and intellectual skill, including talking early and often, using songs and poetry, describing experiences, using books,…

Discusses ways teacher educators can help preservice early childhood teachers connect reflective inquiry to teaching practice. Shows how coursework in the early childhood education program at Eastern Michigan University encourages reflection on children, content learning, preprofessional teaching experiences, and popular opinion. Includes sample…

Describes the wave of new technology-enhanced "smart toys," ranging from simple interactive toys to those simulating actions of real animals. Notes the lack of research on the effects of these toys on children's brain organization, learning, or behavior. Describes impact of various software programs on children's learning, discussing implications…

Discusses conflict as a normal part of young children's social development. Examines the teacher's role in children's conflict, classroom conflict outcomes, and the use of peer mediation programs and peace education in elementary and secondary schools. Describes the impact of the Fussbuster Program on Head Start children with high levels of…