Reflects on experiences of 3- and 4-year-olds after reading "Cat and Alex and the Magic Flying Carpet." Follow-up activities involved children pretending to travel on a magic flying carpet. Notes that children selected locations important in their hearts, minds, and daily lives and that their actions reflected their knowledge of the world, their…

Examines how sensory integration disorders contribute to behavioral difficulties in young children and how considering the neurological underpinnings to behavior problems can help to clarify their origins and lead to obtaining appropriate and effective help. Lists signs of sensory integration disorders. Delineates techniques to use when a child…

Describes how one preschool program's curriculum evolved to consider children's individual differences in learning through an individualistic approach with hands-on active learning and exploration experiences to serve the whole child. Shows how multiple intelligences theory was used to assess the curricular balance. Delineates activities to…

Recounts a teacher's initiation into the process of documentation over several weeks as she joined toddlers on a "fishing trip." Draws on Piagetian and Vygotskian theories to understand and enhance children's play. Discusses how documentation is used to communicate and converse with children and offers teachers opportunities to collaboration with…

Describes North Carolina's efforts to develop a school readiness definition and assessment plan, focusing on differentiating readiness from eligibility and giving equal weight to schools' capacity to educate all children. Presents selected findings from the statewide assessment. Describes dilemmas faced by the state and their resolutions.…

Discusses connections between early childhood experiences and adolescent behavior, based on interviews with troubled 14- to 17-year-olds. Describes common characteristics of troubled adolescents. Asserts that early childhood professionals should take advantage of their opportunity to positively affect individual children and delineates actions to…

Describes the outdoor adult education classes conducted by a community college in California designed for parents and their children ages 5 through 8 years. Classes include parenting topics, music, movement, crafts, stories, hiking, and nature awareness, focusing on sensual outdoor experiences for children. Describes what children gain from…

Offers suggestions for combining music and movement in early childhood settings to enhance children's learning. Suggestions include choosing songs that encourage active involvement, incorporating children's ideas and interests in curriculum planning, using music and movement to recognize the whole child, and making music and movement sessions…

Describes a strategy whereby kindergarten children recorded acts of kindness on slips of paper and put the slips into a "Kindness Jar." Found that children used slips of paper recording the acts as tokens of appreciation for their friends, to recognize instances of conflict resolution, to report on collaboration, and to emphasize teamwork. (KB)

Offers five reasons to stop use of positive social reinforcement, or praise, with young children. Maintains that praise manipulates children by taking advantage of their need for adult approval and exploits that dependence for adult convenience, creates "praise junkies," steals the child's pride in his or her own accomplishment, reduces interest…

Describes how preschool teachers guided 4-year-olds in a classroom project that integrated constructing with wire, drawing, and storytelling. Notes that children monitored and directed their work and responded to learning challenges. Shows how teachers supported learning of individual children as children began to influence each other's learning.…

Describes the historic and current need for volunteers in Head Start programs. Focuses on volunteer recruitment, senior volunteers, volunteer assessment, matching volunteers and centers, staff-volunteer relationship, and volunteer supervision. Lists resources for involving and managing volunteers. (KB)

Presents overview of a position statement from the National Association of Early Childhood Specialists in State Departments of Education endorsed by the NAEYC Governing Board regarding entry and placement in kindergarten. Identifies questionable educational practices resulting from trend toward demanding more of kindergarten children. Lists…

Describes role of early childhood education (ECE) administrator as a protagonist for inclusion of children with disabilities. Suggests this role entails laying foundation for inclusion through articulating program philosophy, choosing the curriculum model, identifying appropriate instructional strategies, and arranging the environment.…

Offers tips for using garage sales and other community sources for obtaining inexpensive classroom materials. Lists potential finds at yard sales and thrift shops. Suggestions include setting up a budget before shopping, recognizing the educational value of real objects for young children, and taking health and safety precautions before…