Briefly describes the papers of James Raths, Bernard Spodek, James Hoot, Cynthia Sunal, Patricia Olmsted and Helena Hoas which are presented in this issue. These manuscripts focus on teacher training approaches in various countries.(RJC)

Describes four recommendations made by educational reformers seeking to improve the quality of the teaching workforce. Suggestions are to recruit more intelligent teachers, more persons committed to the profession, more minority people, and more teachers from the upper middle classes. These reform suggestions and the implications of those changes…

Discusses the history of kindergarten education in China. Describes current teacher training practices and problems in the preparation of kindergarten teachers. Problems are often related to a lack of training resources, recruitment, selection of graduates for teaching, and the present model of teaching. Reform measures for kindergarten teacher…

Discusses educational reform measures for children and teachers in the Soviet Union. These reforms include: 1) lowering the mandatory school age; 2) expanded periods of teacher training and field experiences; 3) curricular changes; 4) decreased class size; 5) expanded admissions for teacher training schools; 6) attracting, selecting, and retaining…

Explores the training of primary school teachers in Nigeria. Focuses on problems in providing universal primary education, status of universal primary education teachers, recent teaching problems, reforms, and implementation of advanced training for primary school teachers. (RJC)

Describes the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement Preprimary Project which is an ongoing cross-national survey of early childhood care and education in developed and developing countries. Presents information assembled thus far related to the training of teachers and caregivers in Finland, Hong Kong, Italy, and…

Describes a teacher education course which focused on study of critical incidents to analyze teachers' decision-making practices. A film which portrayed a teacher in decision-making crisis was viewed and later discussed in small groups. Teachers were asked to relate the film to personal experiences and to keep a journal during the course to…

Discusses the importance of the outdoor play area for infant and toddler cognitive, physical and social development. Also discusses design, landscape and arrangement considerations for the play area. (RJC)

Describes the policies and processes for publishing manuscripts in CHILDHOOD EDUCATION. Manuscripts for Volume 66 (1989-90) will focus on: 1) who will be teaching the world's children; 2) children's literature; 3) celebrating diversity; 4) empowering teachers; 5) math and science; 6) developmentally appropriate curriculum and instruction. (RJC)

Describes the pressures on young children to read at an early age. Discusses the disadvantages of a subskill approach to reading for the improvement of test scores. (RJC)

Discusses child rearing practices which can be learned from the Cosby Show. Consistently interwoven in the dialog each week are family guidelines related to self-esteem building, independence, trust, values, and humor. (RJC)

Discusses the potential benefits of having pets for self-care children. Researchers suggest that companion animals can lower blood pressure, show up high on a list of children's helpers and indirectly increase feelings of safety. (RJC)

Discusses nonschool-sponsored sports in children's education. Highlights the reasons that children participate in sports, children's definition of success in sports, the education of volunteer coaches and parents whose children are involved in sports, and suggestions for parents and educators who wish to support children in sports. (RJC)

Discusses problems homeless families encounter in educating their children. Covers public policy issues regarding homeless children, such as accessibility to schools, accessibility to day care, and support for individualized educational programs.(RJC)

Describes a sixth-grade teacher's experiences in managing a student-centered classroom. The author describes her planning, the way in which she managed her initial disappointments and what she learned from them, and her ultimate success. (RJC)