It is argued that colleges tend to have a high opinion of themselves and would be wise to learn how their various publics (community, business community, guidance counselors, college-bound students, parents, current students, alumni, staff) perceive them. Comparison with competitors and monitoring of change over time is also recommended. (MSE)

The quality of a child-care program can be evaluated from above, by visiting adults and observers; below, by the children in the program; outside, by parents served by the program; inside, by the staff of the program; and the perspective of society, which sponsors the program. The implications of these multiple perspectives are discussed. (MDM)

Examined effects of ethnic background on group interaction and student-teacher relations by observing 273 Turkish, Surinam, and Dutch 4-year olds and their teachers in 29 Dutch schools. Found Turkish and Surinam pupils were less involved in group activities than Dutch children and, in play situations, teachers appeared to give more attention to…

Discusses how and at what level teachers of young children should be trained by comparing the present training schemes in England, Sweden, and Spain. Suggests the need for (1) rapid expansion of educational provision for children from birth; (2) reconsideration of current curriculum and teaching methodology; and (3) expansion of opportunities for…

Examined the process of enculturation into schooling by observing 12 Punjabi-English children during their first term in nursery school. A case study of one pupil's experiences illustrates the findings that Punjabi-English children preferred to interact with pupils of their own ethnic background and that they tended to use their native language in…

As part of a larger, longitudinal study, examined how effectively teachers were able to establish an orderly classroom climate, an emphasis on basic skills acquisition, and a pupil monitoring system in 28 Dutch kindergartens. Found wide differences in the ability of teachers to establish these curriculum components. (MDM)

Examined the development of children's prosocial behavior by following 10 boys and 10 girls, along with their teachers, through their last year of preschool and first 2 years of school. Found that free play tended to be gender segregated, and that teachers, the majority of whom were female, considered girls to exhibit more prosocial behavior than…

This speech (1) outlines the educational mission of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development; (2) points out the growing recognition by member governments that support for preschool and early intervention programs is a worthwhile investment; and (3) maintains that governments alone should not attempt to mastermind the policies…

Most research on American and British preschool programs demonstrates that early learning experiences have an immediate positive impact on children's cognitive and social development. Because of this, there is a strong case for investment in high quality early learning on economic as well as social grounds. (MDM)

Outlines the organization and activities of the Child Development Centre (CDC) of Aristotle University in Thessaloniki, which operates as a model preschool and kindergarten for over 300 similar institutions throughout Greece. The CDC utilizes art, music, visits to workplaces, movement activities, foreign languages and customs, computers,and free…

Discusses young children's learning in depth versus superficial learning, and presents the results of a study designed to assess 5-year olds' competence in physical knowledge. Found that the majority of children could identify basic principles, such as the floating and sinking properties of objects, but could not grasp more advanced ideas such as…

Posits that a "democratic approach" to defining and evaluating educational quality is necessary, since the concept of quality itself is heavily subjective and value based, and that educational evaluation is best achieved through the involvement of all participants, including practitioners, parents, and children. (MDM)

A total of 12 professional caregivers and 35 2- and 3-year olds participated in a study to determine caregivers' influence on the competence of preschoolers. Caregivers assisted children while the children performed classification tasks. Found that the sex of the children and the working conditions of the caregivers influenced children's task…

Reviews the recent growth of interest in qualitative geography. Discusses whether or not qualitative research can be accepted on the same scholarly level as quantitative research. Contends that qualitative methodology has much to offer geography and geography instruction. (CFR)

Contends that qualitative research in geography can be conducted within the constraints of a research methods course. Provides suggestions for using qualitative research fieldwork in a college course. Includes student reactions to the course and constraints on broader use of this methodology. (CFR)