Discusses the increasing responsibility of teacher educators to prepare individuals who can effectively serve young children in inclusive settings. Maintains that a unified teacher training program that prepares professionals to serve all young children holds strong promise for improving the delivery of services. (KB)

Presents suggestions for conducting safe and educationally stimulating field trips for young children, including factors to consider when planning trips, such as suitability and cost; preparation needed just prior to taking the trip, such as safety rule observance; considerations during the trip, including liability insurance; and follow-up…

Suggests strategies for caregivers to encourage peer interactions in infant/toddler programs. Strategies include helping children become familiar with surroundings and one another, maintaining social groups and friendships, varying the number and types of toys available at one time, controlling the number of children in a particular space, and…

Presents principles to guide the development of a family-school involvement approach for nurturing caring in children. Considers the importance of family-strengthening activities and the role of schools in creating caring children and parents. Suggests activities that focus on caring and that are mutually beneficial to family and school. (KB)

Discusses why early childhood educators should abandon their use of teacher-oriented decorative items: (1) such items evoke stereotypes with nostalgic appeal; (2) the decorations can undermine professional image; (3) the items communicate a message of subservience; (4) the items commercialize teaching rather than elevate the profession's status;…

The narratives of three teachers describe a university affiliated child care center staff's efforts to incorporate documentation into their practice. The stories suggest that documentation is an intellectually and emotionally challenging experience, promotes staff development, creates a climate of inquiry, communicates to children and families,…

Examines shifts in societal attitudes that suggest the time is right to encourage greater father/male involvement in early childhood programs. Based on experiences with Men & Kids Project in Urbana, Illinois, identifies several challenges as educators explore ways to encourage greater father/male involvement and suggests possible solutions.…

Examines the appeal of superheroes to children and adults' beliefs about superhero play, and suggests some potential benefits of such play. Offers examples of ways to successfully incorporate superhero play into an early childhood classroom. (Author/KB)

Examined parent education practices used in family literacy programs, focusing on parent education in Washington's Even Start program. Found few rural/urban differences in program content, probably due to the state mandate for programs. Most participants were white female single heads of households on public assistance. Commonly used instructional…

Observed and interviewed four preschool teachers to identify contributions of child care experiences to young children's mathematics understanding. Found that programs did not differ in amount or content of mathematics presented to children. Although teachers said they believed that mathematics was important and they engaged in mathematical…

Examines the enrichment of sharing literature with young children through storytelling. Presents guidelines for selecting stories for storytelling, including literary standards, characters, plot, setting, and themes. Makes suggestions for effective storytelling and discusses the importance of understanding the variation in children's listening…

Cites 99 recently published fiction, folklore, and nonfiction books for 3- to 8-year olds that illustrate a broad interpretation of multiculturalism and include positive and accurate portrayals of various ethnic or religious groups. A brief synopsis is given for each book, along with publication information. (KB)

Presents a bibliography of 34 teacher resources pertaining to children's literature with a multicultural theme. Resources include booklists and critical essays. (KB)

Examines a family-centered approach to the prescription and delivery of computers to children with disabilities. Discusses effective team decision making regarding computers in the home environment, and the relevance of family and cultural factors, such as family routines, stress, cultural value systems, and time constraints. Considers…

Examines the role of democracy in education and its importance in early childhood education programs, including benefits to children. Discusses implications for early childhood education programs that include children with disabilities, makes suggestions for promoting democracy in inclusive early childhood environments, and identifies…