Offers cleaning tips for classroom computers. Recommends cleaning materials for specific components such as screens, keyboards, disk drives, CD-ROM drives, and mouse and mousepads. Hazards such as dust, water, static electricity, power surges, and loss of data are also discussed. (JW)

Relates how children's everyday experience can revolve around a common object, in this case, a large hole dug outside their early childhood classroom. Describes how the hole captivated student interest and became the focus of much of their thought and writing, thus facilitating language skill development. (JW)

Establishing effective lines of communication holds benefits for both parents and professionals. Benefits include providing opportunities for reinforcement of classroom lessons in the home and increasing parental sense of involvement. Communication can be facilitated by early and ongoing parent-professional contact, the development of classroom…

Argues against using cute ideas for busywork in early childhood classrooms. Asserts that cute activities insult children's intellects, mistake doing with learning, often miseducate, undermine professionalism, and frequently undermine educational equity. Posits that cute ideas interfere with communication between adults and children, between…

Proposes using a developmentally appropriate practice framework to determine if a sexual abuse prevention program takes into consideration the unique learning abilities of preschool children. Reviews definition of and statistics related to sexual abuse. Compares appropriate and inappropriate teaching practices in child sexual abuse prevention…

Defines creativity as the process of being original, spontaneous, and/or unique, using prior knowledge and available information to think or act in a new way. Creativity can be fostered by acceptance and encouragement, by an atmosphere of trust, and by selection of classroom activities and materials. Children need uninterrupted work time for…

Discusses ways physical setting facilitates room transitions for toddlers in day care centers. Recommends specific physical features that support the transition process, including visual access to the next room, flexible access to one's former room, shared space, familiar materials and structures, and enriched cozy areas. Toddlers need to take in…

Goals of block building in early childhood classrooms focus on physical, social, cognitive, and emotional development. Reports survey results of the value teachers place on block play. Offers illustrations of task cards to use with blocks in math, language arts, social studies, and science. Discusses guidelines and suggests idea cards and sentence…

Notes that children ignored or rebuffed by their peers may be denied access to learning opportunities involving peer interaction. Describes how the sociometric dynamics in one classroom affected three children. Suggests implementations to minimize negative impact of peer rejection including identifying sociometric patterns, and then utilizing…

Suggests teachers can work from children's interests and their own to develop classroom themes, noting that children's interests emerge as study continues, creating a thematic and emergent curriculum. Describes a teacher-designed theme on space, developed as children's interests were stimulated during the study, in a way that reflected the initial…

Advocates instruction in the arts to develop young children's creative and global thinking skills. Suggests that music instruction can help special needs children to learn in other ways. For example, children who have trouble learning to read may benefit from rhythm instruction to help them keep a beat. Singing and playing musical instruments can…

Reviews two books about early childhood curriculum based on young children's developmental needs: "The Whole Child" (J. Hendrick) discusses inclusion of special needs children in the classroom and Piaget's theory of the emergence of thinking and reasoning skill; "Creative Experiences for Young Children" (Mimi Brodsky Chenfield) discusses Howard…

Suggests that teachers are challenged with arranging the environment to allow physically impaired children to participate in classroom activities. Defines limited motor ability. Suggests ways to make minor modifications or adaptations to accommodate these children in common classroom activities, including circle time, art, sensory play, fine…

The term ecological self describes connections with and attitudes toward the natural environment. A young child has a unique way of knowing and experiencing the natural world that is different from adults. Frequent and positive experiences in the out-of-doors during childhood promote a positive attitude toward nature. (AMC)

Notes that caregivers need to create an atmosphere that reflects their experiences with children and knowledge of child development. A productive partnership with families improves the quality of care through shared commitment and positive outcomes. Suggests ways caregivers can develop a productive partnership with families, including newsletters,…