Explored the forms and functions of ritual in structuring teaching in preschool settings. Found that rituals have both invariant qualities that stabilize the framework within the school system and variant qualities that foster personalized and flexible approaches to teaching. When teachers attend to rituals, rituals have a greater pedagogical…

A home school project was adapted from Crews' picture book Ten Black Dots. Students in four first grade classes engaged in diverse numeracy encounters in child-family interactive math learning exercises using children's literature bags. The planned activities met the K-4 Curriculum and Evaluation Standards of the National Council of Teachers of…

Discusses the role and components of both bilingualism and multiculturalism in preschool settings. Notes implications for the preparation of teachers and suggests strategies that preschool administrators could utilize in meeting needs of bilingual communities. (Author/DLH)

Explored children's perceptions of play in a prekindergarten and a K-1 classroom. Found a category of classroom activities that combined elements of play and work. These blended learning activities showed: blurred lines between work and play; shared control of classroom activities; and spontaneity in learning experiences. (Author/DLH)

Reinforces the value of drama and theater for young children. Recommends dramatic play, creative drama, theater, and television, a form of drama, as opportunities for children to learn social interaction skills and person-to-person critical thinking. Urges recognition of drama as an educational tool in the development of young children. (DLH)

Considers theory, standards, guidelines, and rationale for technology in the preschool environment. Examines practices of 12 diverse preschool sites and derives 4 models that enable early learners to engage and experience technology within a developmentally appropriate learning environment. Focuses on technology-infused preschool models for…

Notes that inclusive care benefits both typically and atypically developing school-age children. Describes caregivers' challenges as lack of training, resources, and identification of successful inclusive program components. Identifies as variables for successful programs: teacher-child ratios, level of provider training and experience, typically…

Analyzed scores on the Georgia Kindergarten Assessment Program to determine whether school readiness was influenced by preschool program attendance. Found: (1) higher overall school readiness, physical, and personal scores for preschool attendees; (2) no difference as a function of type of preschool; and (3) that girls outperformed boys on the…

Proposes developing systems that allow parents to contribute items to their preschool child's portfolio. Suggests transition portfolios, parent information sheets, weekly newsletters, requested parent observations, sharing table, and take home packets as activities that parents can choose from during the school year. Stresses need for a variety of…

Highlights experiences of teachers during conferences to illustrate positive characteristics that distinguish teachers from other professionals. Argues that the characteristics of educators that stand out in the minds of service industry employees are a reflection of the collective care and concern that permeate teachers' professional lives.…

Describes the development and use of the Verbal Plan and Evaluation program, an instructional model applicable for free play time and based on Vygotsky's view that teachers' active involvement in children's verbalization of planning and evaluating play activities facilitates the development of their mental processes. Presents teaching strategies…

Presents a case study to illustrate the impact that an emergent literacy environment both at home and at school can have on literacy acquisition. Highlights interviews with 31 nursery school children about their perceptions of reading. Notes that hypotheses formed about language learning by age 3 offer food for thought in view of increasingly…

This case study illustrates how a highly trained and experienced early childhood educator thinks about her interactions with preschoolers. Verbal and nonverbal patterns emerging from videotaped observations demonstrated how the teacher integrated information about specific children into these interactions. Although children's conceptions of time…

As a teacher deals with the frustrations of classroom management and her fears concerning control, she finds what it means to "let go" to the process of living and learning with young children. Her method of dealing with issues of classroom community involves teacher reflection on action, listening to stories of children, and telling stories of…

Describes how dance was incorporated into African and Native American cultural study units. Notes that when dance was used, children's participation level was high and they showed evidence of integrating new knowledge into current information. Provides suggestions for educators to teach dance to students through increasing body awareness,…