Notes that while parental involvement in the classroom is beneficial, it can be difficult for teachers to maintain a balance between classroom needs and parent preferences. Briefly describes six successful activities for parental involvement and what is expected of parent volunteers for each activity. Outlines five other considerations for…

Explores assumptions teachers make when planning parent involvement strategies and barriers to family involvement that result from these assumptions. Presents two tools designed to help teachers plan and carry out successful activities by identifying family-related factors that could limit or prevent family participation and making modifications…

The celebration of an annual event turned into a 5-week project on medieval life for a kindergarten class. Children were active participants in the planning and execution of the project in which they created a medieval kingdom. A variety of activities enabled the children to further develop skills and expand their knowledge of the topic. (TJQ)

Using music in the classroom enhances learning. Music and dance provide an opportunity for positive social interaction. Singing fosters understanding of the sound and rhythm of language. Exposing children to the patterns of different kinds of music helps them to recognize patterns in mathematics. Background music in the classroom reduces stress…

Suggests looking at group dynamics when managing conflicts between children in the classroom. Uses an example from the classroom to demonstrate how teachers can facilitate safe and fair conflict management, increase cooperative behavior, and, as a result, contribute to children's self-esteem. Discusses careful observation in the classroom,…

Describes how a quilting theme can provide an inclusive, engaging experience for children that also strengthens literacy, communicative, cognitive, and problem-solving skills and encourages family involvement. Outlines the phases of a quilting project, lists related classroom activities for both preschool and primary classrooms, and offers…

Discusses the importance of movement to mental and physical development, especially in young children's learning environments. Suggests that children naturally need to move in order to learn, and adults' efforts to entice children to sit still, pay attention, and be quiet often run contrary to this need. Proposes creating safe learning…

Reports on an educator's mission to examine the status of young children and early childhood education in war-torn Kosovo. Relates the story of a 10-year-old girl and her family during and after the hostilities. Describes relief efforts of Americans and American organizations, particularly Mercy Corps International, Children's Resources…

Project REACH is a specialized 2-year training program building on the strengths and addressing the limitations of rural Missouri child care providers. The mission of the project was to improve the quality of rural child care and children's cognitive and social development by providing child care providers with local training, support,…

A preschool staff project was undertaken to develop and implement a more efficient curriculum organization plan and curriculum rotation system. The aim of the project was to provide a healthier working environment by improving communication among the teaching team, organizing curriculum storage outside the classroom, designing curriculum rotation…

Despite rising demand for high-quality child care, the norm for early childhood staff is low salaries, few benefits, and difficult working conditions. This article provides an overview of compensation of early childhood professionals, and describes some state and local initiatives that address the need for funding and policies that support a…

The results of a recent study called Ask the Children challenges current thinking on work and family life, how we talk about it, and how we behave and communicate with children. This article shares eight findings from the study and the implications of the findings for leaders in the early childhood field. (TJQ)

Provides illustrations of the ways in which cultural differences in parents' beliefs and practices may affect children's adjustment to early childhood settings. Makes suggestions for working with young children who bridge two cultures as they make the transition between home and the early childhood classroom. (TJQ)

Discusses some of the issues surrounding the chronic underfunding of early care and education, and examines some of the possible reasons for our national undercommitment to young children. Stresses the need for a clear vision of an early care and education system, with concrete data on what it would cost and how funds should be generated and…

Discusses the professional standards established by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Explains the necessity of periodic revision of the guidelines and the benefits of doing so. Outlines the essential elements of NAEYC guidelines: child development and learning; curriculum development and implementation;…