This article is a response to "Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS): A Tool for Evaluating Student Learning?" by Kamii and Manning (2005). The intent of their study was to evaluate how DIBELS and a writing test predict reading achievement, which was measured by scores on the Slosson Oral Reading Test (SORT) as well as by a…

Introduces this theme issue on middle childhood and early adolescence. Notes the importance of the 9- to 14-year-old developmental period and the need for research into these years. Suggests several research areas that need to be explored. (LPP)

The focus of this article on play training (when adults intervene in informal but purposeful ways in preschool children's spontaneous, symbolic play) is not on whether it works, but on why it works. A theoretical framework for examining adult/child play interactions, which reconciles diverse perspectives in the literature, is presented.…

Argues that common understanding of "caring"--characterized by gentle smiles and warm hugs--obscures complexity and intellectual challenge of work with young children. Draws on feminist moral theory, specifically the ethic of care, to emphasize its deeply ethical, philosophical, and experiential roots. Highlights, through classroom narratives, how…

Introduces a recursive-based developmental theory of multiple/multiethnic perspective-taking ability for teachers' developmentally and culturally congruent pedagogy: a way to understand and facilitate growth in teachers' interpersonal pedagogical coordination for developmentally and culturally congruent teaching as "teaching for all individuals."…

Examines issues of culture and identity, Canadian history and identity, and the relevance of these concepts as a curricular theme for early childhood preservice teachers and for young children. Compares the early childhood cultural experiences in Canada, Israel, and Britain. Delineates implications of understanding of the role of Canadian culture…

Suggests that aboriginal child-care needs relate to educational, social, and cultural requirements, as well as parental workforce participation. Contends that research is needed to test the validity of findings from mainstream societies when applied to indigenous communities. Presents examples of child-care problems and solutions to needs from…

Explores two fundamental concerns reflected in the articles in this journal issue: (1) promoting a healthy balance of paid work and family responsibilities; and (2) developing new models to ensure that all families can receive appropriate child-care services in their communities. (Author/DLH)

Calls for review of research on best practices in phonemic awareness training and direct-instruction reading programs. Suggests that a more effective approach to reading instruction is to integrate skills instruction with meaningful literacy experiences and to use writing to help children learn about written language, including phonemic awareness.…

Discusses indicators of high-quality care for school-age children, and examines the relationship between these indicators and provincial and territorial regulations for the licensing of school-age programs. Considers the effect of regulations on the wide age range of children attending school-age programs, suggesting ways to meet the needs of 9-…

Discusses the need for evaluating the efficiency of early childhood education programs. Presents a model of educational productivity that specifies nine chief factors which require optimization to increase affective, behavioral, and cognitive learning. (Author/RWB)

Points out that electronic editing (or "page processing"), which is the process of using microcomputers in publishing manuscripts, reduces the need for communication between the editor and the printer. The result is savings in both time and money. (BB)

Comments on the articles presented in this issue with respect to their implications for classroom practices. Stresses that in this issue, the researchers describe how social context factors (such as adult viewpoints and adult-child interaction patterns) and physical context factors (such as variations in classroom space-time organization and…

Reviews contents of the Fall/Winter 1989 edition of JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN CHILDHOOD EDUCATION. Topics include: differences in the psychosocial work environment of schools; possession and exchange of materials in Chinese and American preschools; primary education in Nigeria; exemplary grade 1 mathematics teaching; and priorities for kindergarten…

Introduces the idea of using computer microworlds--interactive software for exploration of specific concepts--for mathematics education, the theme of this issue's articles. Discusses their development and the advantages of their use. Suggests that they can be successfully used for interactive teaching or for interpreting mathematics textbooks,…