Four K-3 teachers (Brevard County School District) described their experiences using whole language programs. They had in common a child-centered attitude; an initial experience of frustration followed by encouragement from the children's excitement and involvement in learning; and an approach that began with the writing process and moved to…

Toys play a role in children's lives worldwide and can be used effectively to teach global education. There are more commonalities than differences among toys from different nations. The origins of toys are varied, sometimes reflecting religious beliefs or political events. Toys also indicate cultural values and attitudes and social changes. (BC)

Partnerships between teachers and parents provide benefits for children's education. Suggested methods by which teachers can establish communications with parents include telephone conferences, printed communications, encouragement of parental visits, developmental checklists sent home, parent-teacher conferences, home visits, and workshops for…

Discusses questions dealing with children's learning to read and write; children's drawing; encouragement, correction, and interpretation of children's writing; and writing programs. Suggests that parents and teachers can promote children's writing by creating an environment for children that develops confidence and by understanding the processes…

To improve the relationship between educators and parents of handicapped children, educators should try to understand the feelings and attitudes of the parents of a child with a disability. Listed are seven suggestions for teachers to help them work effectively with parents and encourage parent participation in the education of handicapped…

Despite the benefits shown by cooperative learning research, schools foster environments in which students vie for attention and individual achievement. Cooperative learning empowers students and teachers. Cooperation enhances academic achievement and teaches social skills. (BC)

Describes Frances McClelland Mayfarth's childhood, editorial work for the Association for Childhood Education, professorship at New York University, presidency of Wheelock College, work as a high school teacher, and retirement. (BC)

Suggests that, if parents are to raise respectful children, they must respect children as they are, have realistic expectations for family life in the 1990s, and be honest with their children and themselves. (BC)

Reviews (1) A Middle School Curriculum from Rhetoric to Reality, by James A. Beane; (2) Enquiring Teachers, Enquiring Learners, by Catherine Twomey Fosnet; (3) How Children Construct Literacy, Yetta M. Goodman, ed.; (4) The New Literacy, by John Willinsky; and (5) The Everyday Guide to Opening and Operating a Child Care Center, by Daniel F.…

Articles in recent periodicals are reviewed. These articles concern (1) the education of children in poverty; (2) the exposure of children to violence in and out of school; (3) recommendations for the Head Start program for the 1990s; and (4) child care in Germany after reunification. (BC)

Summaries of seven ERIC documents and four journal articles are given. These documents and articles concern issues related to children's social development. (BC)

Discusses two software products designed for use in elementary school: (1) Family Tree Maker, which can be used in social studies, language arts, and other areas; and (2) The Little Shopper's Kit, which teaches cooperative learning skills. (BC)

Discusses topics relating to teachers' concerns for the 1990s that will be featured in upcoming multitopic editions of Childhood Education. (BB)

Maintains that primary school teachers should increase the emphasis on narrative and expository textual experiences. Children should be exposed to a variety of reading experiences through a classroom library, the practice of reading aloud, and children's magazines. (BB)

Maintains that children's books such as "The Secret Garden" can have a strong influence on one's life. Such books offer emotionally satisfying adventures and serve as the touchstones by which we measure all literary experience. (BB)