Asserting that playfulness is an important part of learning to work with others, as well as for attaining traits such as flexible thinking, persistence, commitment, and a love of and fascination with learning, this article presents a review of playfulness development, focusing on children age three to five, and describes 12 teaching-learning…

Asserts that the country's current education system, comprised of local school boards, is fragmented and unfair. Proposes a national education congress to provide direction, promote a more unified effort, and ensure that the education system is responding to the best interests and needs of the American people. (EV)

Reviews Covey's "7 Habits of Effective Families," noting that time plays an important part in each habit. Discusses several important "time" issues for families: time to plan for time, time for awareness of quality time, time to have two-way communication, time for family moments, and time to reflect. Includes suggestions for family activities in…

Summarizes recent ERIC (Educational Resources Information Center) documents and journal articles that discuss issues related to children's age at entry into school. Includes details about ERIC and ordering ERIC documents. (EV)

Asserts that because many teachers embrace the use of literature in their classrooms and use many avenues for responding to books, social action can be an important addition to the repertoire of response strategies. Examines support for activism from both the social studies and literacy education communities, and offers guidelines and resources…

Describes two American university professors' experience at a two-week workshop for preschool teachers in Ukraine. Discusses similarities between American and Ukrainian teachers, such as concern with children's health and academic welfare, their own creativity, and the worth of workshops, as well as differences, such as severe lack of material…

Children now play more solitary games, perhaps missing benefits of traditional games such as jacks, marbles, and dominoes. Such games offer children of all backgrounds the opportunity to consolidate knowledge and skills, develop a more orderly way of thinking, and establish themselves with peers. By making these games available in classrooms,…

Draws on a portfolio assessment project to identify challenges of making transition from literacy tests to literacy portfolios. Explains rationale for portfolios, then uses "Kim," a fictional composite, to relate possible difficulties, including having to meet the mandate without the knowledge base, mismatch between teacher beliefs and district…

North Carolina recently developed a licensure program requiring teacher training to include the three strands of child development, early childhood education, and early childhood special education. This article describes the new licensure, explains its effects on both preservice and inservice teacher education, examines efforts to help higher…

Discusses the "National Science Education Standards" released by the National Research Council in 1995, as it relates to teaching young children. Focuses on two areas: "Science Teaching Standards," how teachers should be facilitating scientific understanding in young children; and "Science Content Standards," what areas of understanding should be…

This literature review pays particular attention to research that: (1) focuses on gender differences in mathematics and science achievement; and (2) offers implications for middle school educators addressing young adolescents' gender-specific needs. The review offers a list of recommendations for middle school educators based on the research. (EV)

Reviews research on children with Down Syndrome, highlighting physical, medical, intellectual, language, and behavioral characteristics that provide valuable information for caregivers and teachers in planning and intervention. Reviews research on parent-child interactions, providing guidelines for caregivers and teachers working in inclusive…

Considers the ways young children manifest individual differences and the benefits of acknowledging these differences for both parent and child. Offers suggestions to parents for accommodating and understanding their child's unique traits and behaviors. Stresses the importance of the parent's role in helping children accept and be comfortable with…

Summarizes 12 recent documents and journal articles from the ERIC database that discuss topics related to television violence and children. Articles cited address the effects of television violence on child behavior and attitudes at school and home, and methods of reducing the impact of television on children. (JPB)

Provides specific steps and techniques for teaching and using creative dramatics in elementary school classrooms. Notes that creative dramatics address children's powerful emotions and imaginations, which children rely on to explore and understand the world. Discusses four necessary components of creative dramatics--structure, open-endedness, a…