Examines the ANCHOR (Addressing the Needs of Children through Observation and Response) parent involvement project developed at the University of British Columbia. The project centers around parent and educator observation and discussion of videotaped sequences of preschool children's activities and interactions. Parents and teachers act as…

Argues that schools should reflect the perspective that diversity, rather than being a problem, is an opportunity for every American to experience other peoples and cultures. Teachers should acknowledge diversity by showing respect for students' names, languages, and cultures in their classroom, curriculum, and teaching style. (MDM)

Discusses the development and implementation of a student exchange program involving third graders in suburban Chicago and rural Illinois. The suburban students spent four days on farms in a rural area in April, and the rural students spent four days in Chicago in May. Outlines steps needed to ensure a successful exchange experience. (MDM)

Compares La Junta Nacional de Jardines Infantiles (JUNJI), Chile's federally funded preschool system, with the United States' Head Start program. Notes that, unlike Head Start, JUNJI is administered at the national level; requires preschool teachers to have four-year university degrees; follows a national curriculum; and, due to budget…

Discusses how the storyteller dolls and myths of the Pueblo Indians illustrate the important influence that folktales, legends, and myths can have on children's language development, cultural appreciation, memory, imagination, and values. (MDM)

As children with disabilities participate more fully in community education and recreation programs, educators face special challenges in helping families deal with the special needs of disabled children. Support for parents who have a child with a disability must be based on the parents' perceived needs. (MDM)

Reviews five books for educators: (1) "Once upon a Folktale: Capturing the Folklore Process with Children" (Blatt); (2) "Integrated Studies in the Middle Grades: Dancing through Walls" (Stevenson, Carr); (3) "Conflict in Child and Adolescent Development" (Schantz, Hartup); (4) "Ways of Assessing Children and Curriculum: Stories of Early Childhood…

Summarizes four documents and seven journal articles in the ERIC database that examine children's self-esteem. Topics include self-esteem and academic achievement in black male adolescents, self-esteem and social responsibility, factors associated with self-esteem, self-esteem and peer relationships, enhancing self-esteem, and predictors of…

Noting the effects of prejudice on all young children, proposes implementation of antibias education that would empower children to resist the negative impact of bias on their development and enable them to become critical thinkers and activists for social change. Offers strategies for incorporating multicultural and antibias activities into daily…

Discusses the need for today's children to comprehend the character and complexity of the global community to become effective citizens of the twenty-first century. Suggests that an integrated curriculum of the natural and social sciences would help children acquire a social ethic that develops their awareness of the natural and social worlds…

Parent-teacher conferences are an opportunity to communicate a belief in the value of a successful partnership between home and school. Productive parent-teacher conferences require effective communication techniques. Teachers can facilitate the process with active listening, positive use of attending skills, good questioning technique, and…

Creating classroom rules together can be a very meaningful experience for children and teachers and can help establish a positive sense of classroom community. Student participation in rule-making encourages active involvement, reflection, meaningful connections, respect for rules, a sense of community, problem solving through negotiation,…

Learning sign language is a multisensory, high-interest, developmentally appropriate activity for young children. Learning to sign improves children's attention, self-esteem, motivation, sensitivity to others, language development, reading and math readiness, behavior management, vocabularies, and retention; and allows for inclusion of special…

To help national leaders work toward the first of six national education goals set forth in America 2000, which states that all children in America will start school ready to learn, surveyed the opinions of early childhood professionals. Reports on changes that have occurred in early childhood education efforts in the states and offers suggestions…

Discusses how outdoor play can be as effective as indoor play in facilitating young children's development. Offers advice on selection of toys and materials; organization of play spaces; addition of movable toys and equipment; ways to stimulate imaginative outdoor play; and playground safety. (TJQ)