Discusses the seven principles of the Hand in Hand early childhood program for at-risk preschoolers designed to furnish the children with the tools they need to lessen their risk for failure on entry to kindergarten. Notes risk factors under which the students live, including violence, abandonment, homelessness, starvation, and abuse. (Author/SD)

Describes a curriculum flow developed around Vincent Van Gogh's "The Starry Night," created to strengthen the connections between the arts and early childhood curricula, especially in the area of literacy. Addresses: (1) preparing prior to a workshop; (2) selecting a work of art; and (3) selecting and reading children's literature. Presents…

Outlines transition requirements for students with disabilities moving to school-based special education services, and makes recommendations for practice to ensure that the process is effective and positive for families and personnel involved. Addresses: (1) transition and the law; (2) changing environments and perspectives of the family; (3)…

Examines the process of language acquisition as well as scientists' understanding of the intricate process of learning to talk. Specifically addresses: (1) foundations of language; (2) prenatal period; (3) first month after birth; and (4) conversation. Also discusses adult-child activities that stimulate language-learning. (SD)

This study examined child care providers' use of different HIV/AIDS information sources in relationship to their knowledge about HIV/AIDS and their response to common childhood behaviors and classroom situations involving an HIV-infected child. Results suggest that different types of information sources were associated with different aspects of…

Presents a professional development project in which two kindergarten teachers conducted a writing program designed to help kindergartners become more accomplished and independent writers. Describes the strategies used to assist children in finding topics to draw and write about, learning to draw stories (ideas), learning about letter-sound…

This article advocates a literature-based instructional approach as a way of promoting geographic awareness in early childhood classrooms. Instruction focuses on basic geography concepts of location, place, human- environment interaction, movement, and region. Examples of children's picture books are included to show what early childhood teachers…

Reviews variables, measures, and studies associated with the child care quality perspectives of researchers and professionals, parents using care, child care staff, and children in care. Argues that given the preponderance of studies conducted from the professional/researcher perspective, more effort should be directed to studying child care…

Provides a theory- and research-based argument for the value of play in literacy instruction in the primary grades and offers examples of the ways teachers can create more playful phonics, read aloud, and expository writing experiences. Urges teachers to become well-versed in the values of play and be willing to educate administrators and parents…

This article discusses the potential significance of name-writing skills in addressing important questions about early literacy skill development. Questions raised include whether name-writing skill development mirrors the development of other important cognitive skills, the potential of name- writing skills to offer insight into literacy concept…

Advocates the use of literacy routines within the caregiving or learning environment to promote emergent literacy. Presents suggestions for literacy routines for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers to build competencies that serve as the groundwork for reading, writing, speaking, viewing, and listening. Suggests that teachers, parents, and other…

Contrasts the "fictions of teamwork" existing in educational settings with the characteristics of true colleagueship, focusing on how gender socialization encourages women educators in early childhood settings to remain silent. Addresses ethical responsibilities, perspectives on conflict and criticism, view of excellence, responses to failure,…

Provides an overview of how young children understand death, and offers concrete strategies for talking to children about death and suggestions for teachers about how to help children of various ages through grief and mourning. Highlights developmental differences in four components of children's understanding of death: irreversibility, finality,…

Describes the changing ways child observation is being used by preschool teachers in the United States and Australia in relation to the accountability movement pressuring young children and their teachers in both countries. Explores the costs of the accountability movement in early childhood education. Calls for genuine accountability based on…

Examined two or four times during the course of a year the reading attitudes and reading skills of 41 prekindergarten and kindergarten learners. Found a slight decrease in reading attitudes during kindergarten. Expected skill increases were generally indicated, with pronounced increases in sight word recognition during kindergarten, after other…