Discusses the design of playgrounds to maximize play value and minimize risk. Considers four major risk factors--lack of supervision, inappropriate design for children's ages, falls to hard surfaces, and poor equipment maintenance--and discusses ways to design the playground to minimize these risks. (JPB)

Recommends universal precautions policies and procedures to minimize for children and adults in early childhood settings the risk of infection from exposure to blood-borne pathogens such as hepatitis B or HIV. Outlines symptoms of hepatitis B and HIV/AIDS. Discusses legal and ethical implications related to inclusion. Lists resources for teachers…

Recommends neighborhood walks as a way to build children's knowledge of environment. Suggests ways of learning about the environment, of nurturing respect for the environment, and of modeling environmental stewardship. Recommends fostering engaged inquiry to facilitate the learning process. (DLH)

Reviews genesis of fetal alcohol syndrome and fetal alcohol effects in children. Identifies physical characteristics and behavioral indicators found and provides three checklists of observable signs for both disorders. Recommends seven steps for educators to follow in seeking assistance with these conditions. (DLH)

Presents rationale for using learning centers in early childhood classrooms. Describes teaching strategies to support active learning, including providing open-ended materials, organizing for independence, introducing centers, brainstorming ideas, and extending children's learning. (KB)

Describes the block play of two preschoolers as they recreate their visit to their state capital. Presents the teacher's observations of the skills displayed in their play and the letter to parents explaining what children learn from block play. (KB)

An 11-week kindergarten observation determined students' concerns about dismissal routines and devised alternatives. Children's concerns focused on the school bus, restroom, materials (homework and missing personal items), and saying good-bye. An alternative routine includes nurturing children's independence; refining the curriculum, adjusting…

Presents suggestions for creating play-learning environments designed to promote children's early literacy. Suggests that stimulating and inviting environments, abundant in print-rich materials, realistic props, and manipulatives meaningful to children are most valuable. Themes include hospital, pizza restaurant, hardware store, flower shop, candy…

Describes how simple changes in pretend-play areas can enable children with disabilities to participate more fully in early-learning experiences. Discusses how play reflects cognitive and social skills. Identifies challenges to supporting inclusive pretend play related to environmental barriers and children's characteristics; presents suggestions…

Provides basic information for using the Internet, and discusses benefits of e-mail, World Wide Web, Internet search engines, Web sites, and listservs for early childhood educators. Notes how the Internet can facilitate research and communication with colleagues and parents and can be a teaching tool as well. Includes lists of early childhood Web…

Argues that worksheets are limited teaching tools because they do not address preschoolers' developmental needs such as hands-on play. Presents characteristics of early learning that can be facilitated by play, which fosters children's social and language development, physical skills, and creative and critical thinking. Suggests that learning can…

Considers the consequences of adult praise of children, focusing on when praise is dispensed, its indiscriminate use, children's dependence on others' judgment, use of praise to manipulate behavior, and its effect on motivation. Lists questions for evaluating the use of praise. (KB)

Describes science activities for preschool through primary-grade children, focusing on goals of science education, science processes, and characteristics of high-quality science activities. Notes that hands-on activities explore scientific concepts such as volume, gravity, heat conductivity, and condensation. (KB)

Examines the effects of drug use during pregnancy on early and later child development, the extent of women's drug use, and behavioral and learning characteristics of children prenatally exposed to drugs. Provides intervention guidelines for early childhood settings including children with prenatal drug exposure, focusing on recommendations for…

Describes how to incorporate environmental print materials into early childhood programs. Outlines strategies for using environmental print, such as personalized books, story walls, categorization games, and pretend play. Discusses reducing dependence on context cues and involving families with print activities. (KB)