Discusses challenges to early childhood educators in terms of four principles: (1) congruity, (2) knowing the learner's understanding of what is to be learned, (3) timing, and (4) sociointellectual ambience. (BE/JH)

Illustrates professional, nonprofessional and unprofessional judgment by describing possible responses to a common predicament faced by those working with young children. (RH)

Increased understanding of the parameters of early childhood education, and the ways they interact and influence each other, may help educators to more successfully translate theory into practice. (NH)

Author discusses the application of behavior modification techniques to certain disruptive behaviors. (MB)

Presents a wish list for the Clinton administration. Wishes concern compensation for child care workers; discontinuance of the nation's tendency to compete with other countries in the educational arena; rejection of cost effectiveness as a criterion for justifying educational programs; bilingual education; and guaranteed justice for all children.…

Discusses reflection, representation, and responsibility as fundamental principles of democratic governance in the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Suggests that conflicts and incompatibility on the governing board are natural and desirable. They indicate a diversity of board membership that reflects the…

Points out that the recent increase in attention given to Head Start, child care, and preschool programs since the beginning of the new presidential administration should be utilized by the early childhood education community to remind decision makers of the need for increased funding for these programs. (MDM)

The preschool program of Reggio Emilia, Italy is discussed in terms of the quality of the program's environment, the quality of its students' work, and student and teacher planning involved in the projects undertaken by the students. It is maintained that children in the Reggio Emilia program know what is important to the adults around them.(BG)

Suggests a distinction between understanding and indulging when dealing with children resisting rules or limits. Recommends an expressive environment, in which children's right to express their views--in appropriate and respectful ways--is protected, even though compliance is still required. (HTH)

Many drug abuse prevention programs and materials, such as the "Smart Choices" newsletter for kindergartners, are developmentally inappropriate for young children. Successful preventive measures need to address the mixed messages that society itself gives to children about alcohol and other drugs and present developmentally appropriate instruction…

Recent classroom emphasis on boosting self-esteem by encouraging self-congratulation and appealing to children's consumer instincts is misguided. Many of the self-oriented activities prompt responses of the form "what I like" rather than "what I want to know." Children's self-esteem is fostered not by empty compliments but by respectful treatment…

Proposes replacing the term child-centered with child-sensitive to indicate more accurately the major role of teachers in determining the curriculum and activities offered to young children. In contrast to the laissez-faire, child-indulgent approach of many child-centered programs, a child sensitive approach would encourage teachers to capitalize…

Addresses three questions related to the topic of diversity. Questions are how can citizens and professionals accept and prize cultural, ethnic, racial, and lifestyle diversity; how should commitment to prizing diversity be implemented in curricula and teaching practices; and what should be the role of the National Association for the Education of…

Suggests that early childhood teachers should eliminate boring, repetitive activities from their curriculum and engage students' minds in activities that stimulate thinking and reasoning. Instead of making paper snowflakes, for example, children might discuss and examine the characteristics of snow, study weather, and engage in other creative…