This study is focused on preservice early-childhood teachers' attributions about control and responsibility for negative caregiving outcomes. Prior research has linked low perceived control over failed outcomes with harsh care-giving behavior. In this sample of 81 preservice teachers in a pre-kindergarten, Associate-degree program, bivariate…

As children's challenges and needs climb at an alarming rate, teachers are called to a new pedagogy, called to move beyond the barriers of the past. Moreover, to meet the needs of all learners effectively, teachers must relate to children in new ways that transcend the obstacles that have long stood in the way of meaningful learning. All children,…

Teacher education programs that want their future teachers to embrace and employee constructivist principles must strive to provide opportunities for teacher candidates to develop an understanding of constructivism. The paper presents a structure for embedding constructivist principles into early childhood and elementary teacher education courses…

This paper examines the interactions between teachers and children based on a micro-ethnographic study of an early childhood classroom in which the teacher attempts to scaffold children's learning. The attempts at scaffolding are subverted by children as they resist the teacher's endeavors to modify their play. Teacher's attempts at scaffolding,…

Much has been written about the problems associated with reliance on extrinsic rewards and punishment in controlling behavior and motivating students. This study explores the use of extrinsic rewards and punishment by prekindergarten-grade 3 teachers in Missouri. The purpose of the study was to (a) determine the most common motivational practices…

This study describes early childhood teachers' own beliefs and concepts of aesthetic experience in young children. The teachers involved in this study were directly engaged in preschools for 4 and 5 year-olds where arts and aesthetic education are a primary consideration of their integrated curriculum. These teachers identified a variety of…

This article describes activities and experiences that encourage students to construct and reconstruct knowledge of self and teaching through community building and reflective practices. Following the assumption that teacher education should focus on the human and ethical dimensions of teaching, and the conscious development of a sense of self,…

Asserts that incorporating the identification and practice of caring skills into the curriculum contributes to a better education milieu and equips students with the means to find mature solutions to problems and ensure a lifetime of good personal mental health. Describes class dialogs, creativity tools, and action-oriented projects as ways to…

A strong home-school connection is crucial for students' success, and honest, open dialog during parent-teacher conferences can play an important role in strengthening this connection. This article presents research findings on parent-teacher relationships and practical suggestions for improving parent-teacher conferences. (EV)

Asserts that teachers must consider the innate passion to discover and the desire to understand when designing science instruction. Argues that in an emotionally secure and stimulating environment, children will freely express passions to discover and understand and that educators must ensure and support every child's affective development along…

Claims that, although teachers are increasingly expected to integrate technology--particularly the Internet--into their classrooms, it is the exceptional school system that prepares its teachers to use the Internet appropriately. Describes new products and resources that facilitate constructive and relatively easy use of the Internet, including…

Claims that the importance of gaining information literacy skills is in the use of information rather than the finding of information but that many students undertaking research projects do not understand this. Describes a research process model developed for use in a classroom setting and gives a sample lesson using its steps: presearch, search,…

Describes the use of math journals in one kindergarten classroom. Asserts that use of the journals, in which children record their problem-solving processes, makes them think about and use various symbols to represent their thoughts; keeps them actively involved in reasoning, comparing, counting, and other mathematical concepts; and encourages…

Creative movement and drama can expand children's understanding of their environment, extend knowledge levels, and broaden creative self-expression. This article describes the benefits of incorporating such learning experiences in the classroom and presents several children's books and related activities that lend themselves to the integration of…

Discusses how literature can facilitate students' appreciation of the multifaceted Hispanic culture. Offers advice on merging Hispanic literature and literacy instruction, organizing children's books by category to help structure classroom activities, exploring themes and cultural concepts, and integrating literacy/thinking strategies with…