Notes that children and adolescents appear to suffer the most detrimental effects of homelessness. Discusses the problems faced by homeless youth and the educational systems that must respond to them, including causes and demographics of homelessness, detrimental effects of shelters, the victimization of homeless adolescents, and educational and…

Describes the preparation, implementation, and results of a classroom cross-age tutoring project, which involved third and fourth graders reading books to younger students. Discusses evolution of project: students' lesson plans became more student-centered and complex over time, tutors assumed responsibility for younger children, and their…

Describes challenges of school-initiated family involvement, including ambiguous definitions of family involvement and diversity of backgrounds. Provides guiding "themes" for involvement philosophies and interactions. Examines how three types of family professionals can work with schools to strengthen family involvement: teacher training by family…

Offers suggestions to caregivers for creating successful literacy experiences for infants and toddlers in all types of group settings. Explores research on parental behavior during book-reading experiences and provides guidelines for caregivers. Also offers advice on designing a center's physical environment and selecting children's books. (EV)

Impromptu storytelling techniques are creative and interesting ways to introduce children to the adventure and allure of storytelling, which in turn aids their cognitive and social development. Presents several activities designed to elicit impromptu storytelling, including sentence stories, name tales, "every day is special" stories, the unusual…

Uses "travel itinerary" structure to provide advice on teaching children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Covers such areas as consulting the experts, "landing without frustration" (modifying assignments and materials to match learning styles and abilities), "mapping and orientation" (providing models of expected behavior),…

Intended to help regular elementary education teachers find useful information on teaching special needs children in the regular classroom. Contains sources in two categories, books and journal articles/ERIC documents, which, in addition to general information on inclusion and related federal laws, provide suggestions for implementing curricula,…

Discusses problems associated with accepting assumptions about the universal applicability of developmentally appropriate practices. Questions the need to separate the "developmental" from the "academic." Encourages early childhood educators to reassess issues pertaining to inclusion, exclusion, process vs. product, cultural diversity, and…

Suggests parents use catalogs to help children increase reading and math skills. Points out that catalogs link language and print, that children can increase vocabulary through picture naming, and that sorting pictures and classifying objects can increase thinking skills. Suggests that children can practice adding, counting, and comparison…

Recognizes the importance of using high-quality children's literature when studying cultural diversity. Stresses the need for accurate information in text and for authentic illustrations. Contains an annotated bibliography of six American Indian books with suggested activities to encourage discussion about Native culture. Lists eight additional…

Stresses need for early childhood educators to be prepared for prenatal drug exposed children, who may exhibit multiple disabilities in many areas. Suggests that cognitive and behavioral extremes preclude a list of best practices with this population. Recommends small, stable learning environments. Discusses need for educators and care providers…

Points out that every four months the number of reported AIDS cases among adolescents doubles. Describes and evaluates a comprehensive AIDS prevention education program for preteens. Identifies adolescent attitudes as barriers to effective AIDS education. Presents strategies to break down barriers and promote acceptance of AIDS education,…

Suggests that to prevent acceptance of racial or cultural stereotypes, children must construct positive images of present-day Native people, in addition to learning about historic American Indian leaders. Discusses ways to restructure the knowledge base of teachers. Offers suggestions for developing positive cultural images of Native Americans.…

Suggests that by making quilt squares with tangrams, children link geometry and children's literature. Provides background on quilts and tangrams, and provides guidelines for teachers. Points out that children gain communication and mathematical thinking skills as they manipulate and explore relationships among pieces. Contains an annotated…

Literacy props (including writing implements, books, and paper) placed in all classroom centers encourage the development of emerging literacy. The Environmental Literacy Scan is a self-assessment tool for optimal use of literacy props in classroom centers. Keen observation of children's play to determine their levels of understanding and…