Describes an exploratory study in which alternative dramatic play areas are compared among older preschoolers. Twelve children, grouped into same-sex pairs (55 to 67 months old), were observed in various playroom environments. Results indicate that theme specific settings stimulated dramatic play while neutral areas encouraged personal fantasy…

Suggests alternatives in solving the dilemma of the win/lose syndrome for young children participating in sports, games, and other competitive educational activities. Rather than reinforcing the "negative" aspects of competition ("winning is all," lack of participation, elimination), teachers should provide environments that help children to…

Discusses some of the broader cultural influences that precede (and go beyond) ethnic influences in children's behaviors and attitudes and teachers' interpretations of them. Those influences that affect students' as well as teachers' behaviors and attitudes include perpetuation of the conflicting values of individualism and cooperation, locale,…

Describes two educational programs in West Africa: a (LOGO) computer education program in Senegal, and a "self-improvement" community education program in The Gambia. While these two programs are diverse in geographic location, population, and curriculum materials, both are action-oriented, learner controlled, and consider the learner's broader…

Discusses the problems encountered by children in developing countries in their attempts to learn to read in relation to their "need" to develop a comprehension for and use of print resources. This problem may be solved by the production of a variety of print resources, particularly a culture's folk literature. (BB)

Examines whether elementary school children relate to the "harmful hidden message" about nuclear war in Dr. Seuss's THE BUTTER BATTLE BOOK. After ascertaining the children's cognitive level, they participated in activities to find hidden meanings in stories, including Seuss's book. Students failed to identify the nuclear war message in Seuss's…

Presents an annotated bibliography for children in kindergarten through grade six. The titles in this bibliography focus not on world problems but more on the child's everyday world, particularly in the home and community. They positively strengthen and reinforce children's own world views and illustrate active roles children can play. (BB)

Presents and discusses the results of an exploratory study seeking to determine the effects of an intervention program on aging on children's perceptions of elderly persons. It was found that classroom interaction with older people and exposure to media with accurate information about aging positively changes preschoolers' attitudes toward aging.…

Examines major approaches to developing curriculum for children and some of the problems each approach presents. Topics considered include goal setting and the problems of competing goals; development of children's capabilities; and the difficulties of balancing children's independence with teacher guidance. (Author/DB)

Presents a learning activity to involve 9-11-year-old children in history writing. Children toured Portsmouth, N.H., interviewed residents, inspected historical documents and artifacts, kept field notes, and wrote a final narrative. Applicability to other sites is favorably assessed. Reference materials for a case study of Portsmouth are supplied.…

Describes a program to heighten self-esteem, interest in school, and creativity of gifted/talented children. Identity, inquiry, and interaction are presented as primary motivations to learning. The curriculum includes group sessions to foster self-image development, a media center to stimulate inquiry and eliminate boredom, and activities to…

Describes the essential goals of the justice education movement, implications for early childhood education, and curriculum content. Curriculum focuses on the importance of rules and their connection to laws. Activities to illustrate this connection are suggested. Law-related community resources are identified. (DB)

Presents a critical response to Bloom's thesis that all persons can learn if provided with appropriate prior and current conditions of learning. Unexamined assumptions regarding individual similarities are questioned. Logic supporting the thesis, practicality of the thesis, and unpursued implications are examined. (Author/DB)

Reports on day-care and preschool programs in Czechoslovakia and East Germany, describing infant-toddler care, preschool programs, research projects, parent involvement, and future trends. (DB)

Emphasizes that parents' reading to infants fosters interest in literature and provides foundation for basic reading skills. Titles of musical books, point-and-say books, touch and smell books, cardboard books, cloth books, plastic books, and early stories are provided. (Author/DB)