Argues that violence occurs each day in front of teachers, and examines how teachers explicitly and implicitly sanction verbal and nonverbal aggressive behavior in the schools. Asserts that educators must take the lead in finding constructive ways to respond to children and help them respond to one another. (SD)

Describes the concept of a kid-friendly home environment that attracts and welcomes children into the home. Provides a series of simple steps leading to positive relations with children and their friends to create an "open house," as well as a description of the positive effects such an environment has on children. (SD)

Summarizes recent ERIC documents and journal articles that discuss the use of a balanced approach to reading instruction in the early grades. Also highlights related World Wide Web resources. (SD)

Asserts that regardless of the method used to teach reading, children first need a strong basis in phonemic awareness. Describes phonemic awareness, differentiates it from phonics, and presents available research findings. Advises on the development of phonemic awareness and creation of a classroom environment supportive of its development. (SD)

Discusses stages of identity development in early childhood, as well as ways teachers can be supportive of that development. Addresses components of identity development in young children, parental preferences, valuing diversity, and curriculum recommendations. Provides suggestions appropriate for children of any racial combination. (SD)

Describes the development, implementation, and results of a pond life elementary student research project. Utilizing the pond life example, provides guidelines for children's research projects including the implementation of the K-W-L (know-want to know- learned) strategy with the children's reports/projects. Provides resources utilized in the…

Describes one teacher's inclusion of the Morning Meeting concept in her third-grade classroom and relates student success in standardized testing to its implementation. Provides detailed information on Morning Meeting including its structure, rationale, and influence; includes an argument for immediate implementation. Concludes by asserting that…

Contends that play-based literacy offers a much-needed reasonable response to the increasing expectations placed on young children and their teachers for literacy development. Presents first-hand accounts of preschool teachers' responses to new play- based literacy activities. Notes that these changes resulted in significantly increased levels of…

Defines the position of the Association for Childhood Education International on the role of kindergarten in a child's development. Provides specific information on the purpose of kindergarten, program goals, program content, program implementation, role of play, appropriate physical environment, textbook and material selection, kindergarten…

Reviews research on children's use of computers and the Internet, educational benefits of information technology, problems with using technology with young children, and teachers' adoption and use of technology. Identifies Internet sites that provide guidelines for sensible Internet use and lists children-appropriate, instructional, and…

Lists goals of the Second Early Childhood Education and Care Symposium: develop concise list of outcomes from the first symposium; add urgent issues affecting young children to Global Guidelines; discuss issues in implementing Global Guidelines and the global state of early childhood education; and consider future actions for global early…

Recounts experience of being an overweight preschool teacher. Discusses children's, colleagues', and parents' reactions to overweight people and to society's concept of obesity. Recommends humor to deal with weight issues in the classroom and tells of meaningful encounters with children about obesity. Describes other adults' embarrassment when…

Suggests that the authoritative parenting style without physical punishment produces more positive results and fewest children's problems. Identifies age-appropriate authoritative responses: demanding and responsive; controlling but not restrictive; high parent involvement; participating actively with child's life; communicating openly; following…

Reviews ERIC documents and journal articles that discuss various issues related to starting, operating, and marketing a child care center. Annotations include center and family care operations. (Author/DLH)

Describes one teacher's experience with looping between first and second grades. Highlights responses to surveys, whereby parents and students demonstrated positive social, academic, and emotional advantages to looping, including improved student-teacher relationships, less anxiety, and improved teacher's understanding of students' strengths and…