Describes a project designed to enhance the development of preschool children's aesthetic awareness. Explores how the project presented strategies and materials that can be readily incorporated into the curriculum for any group of young children. Strategies included focusing children's observations; making art happen; and expanding artistic…

Drawing on the idea that a constructivist classroom is very different from a traditional setting, this article presents a rubric based on current understanding of constructivist theory and education. The rubric is designed as a formative assessment of teachers to stimulate thinking and improve methods related to constructivist teaching. (SD)

Describes historical attitudes about the education of children with developmental delays by classifying the trends into four time periods: (1) forget and hide; (2) screen and segregate; (3) identify and help; and (4) include and support. Provides contemporary information about early childhood inclusion in the least restrictive environment…

Provides guidelines for teachers in inclusive classrooms to help children with disabilities learn language and communication skills during everyday activities and routines. Key elements described include collaboration among team members, collecting naturalistic assessment data, developing activity-based objects, preparing an activity matrix, and…

Argues importance of a flexible approach to educating physically and developmentally disabled children, one that allows children to learn and play with attention to age, stages, temperaments, personalities and individual needs. Notes that staff attitudes and willingness to adjust schedules, plans, room arrangement, curriculum, and expectations are…

Provides guidelines to prepare for and monitor successful inclusion programs for children who require individualized health-related intervention to enable participation in early childhood programs. The framework includes establishing standards for care that are comprehensive, coordinated, family-centered, culturally relevant, community-based, and…

Suggests using books to nurture development of children's positive self-images by employing Narrative Therapy, a family therapy technique. Discusses guidelines to help children behave in more socially mature ways. Defines terms used in Narrative Therapy and gives examples of techniques. Lists children's books by therapy category and suggests ways…

Discusses sexuality as encompassing all areas of children's development. Suggests ways to use contextual situations to discuss body functions, body parts, and reproduction to foster healthy understandings of sexuality as children develop. Includes descriptions of best practices in early childhood education matched with developmental expectations…

Describes characteristics of homeless families and their living conditions. Presents characteristics specific to homeless children, and discusses strategies for working with homeless children and supporting their families in early childhood care and education settings. (HTH)

Discusses the importance of social skills in young children, and the need for "naturalistic" procedures rather than teacher direction to intervene in social development of children with disabilities. Presents strategies for supporting social behaviors in preschoolers that foster social skills development in areas including large- and small-group…

Suggests that classroom teachers need to reexamine the ease with which they use rewards to shape desirable behavior in children. Examines external and internal control, and problems posed by the use of rewards. Provides examples of how teachers can help develop intrinsic motivation in students without tangible rewards. (HTH)

Presents three keys for designing successful circle time: multisensory experiences, multilevel instruction, and multiple opportunities to learn. Includes related, responsive strategies to accommodate "hard-to-engage" children during large-group activities. (HTH)

Discusses strategies that teachers and caregivers of young children can use to encourage children to draw and write about their experiences through literature, films, and music. This strategy preserves their own cultural heritage, as demonstrated at the Delta Cultural Center in Helena, Arkansas. (BB)

Discusses methods teachers of young children can use to plan and create interactive, hands-on bulletin boards that make use of moveable pieces. (BB)

Describes the ways in which primary grade science teachers can use hands-on scientific activities to answer children's questions about science. In such activities, children discover and experiment with materials and objects to understand scientific ideas and processes. Suggests that teachers should encourage children's curiosity. (BB)