Notes that quantity and measurement estimation for young children is a difficult mathematical idea for teachers to convey effectively. Explores the problem and alternative teaching methods. Suggests using referents, chunking, and unitizing as optional ways to present estimation. Includes sample activities that develop estimating skills in young…

Notes that recess in elementary education is filled with struggles and crises; presents suggestions for playground education and guidance. Suggests that teachers can implement children's prosocial playground behavior by presenting a repertoire of acceptable games to play and tools for game organization, providing support on the playground, keeping…

The NAEYC Spring Leadership Conference raised fundamental questions about the nature and scope of early childhood leadership in a changing world. Leaders in the field come from all parts of the education spectrum and each have valid contributions. They include those who lead programs or services, conceptual leaders, community leaders, advocacy and…

Presents suggestions for creating family-like programs in large child-care centers in three areas: (1) physical environment, incorporating cozy spaces, beauty, and space for family interaction; (2) caregiving climate, such as sharing home photographs, and serving meals family style; and (3) family involvement, including regular conversations with…

Highlights collaborative practices from fields of family therapy and educational psychology to facilitate conferences on children's behavior problems between parents and child caregivers and teachers. Illustrates stages of collaborative conversations: establishing trust; inviting parents to collaborate; discovering and stating mutual goals;…

Examines the changes in one preschool program's organization and daily routines as a beneficial result of a sudden loss of the program's site and subsequent movement into portable facilities. Concludes that the more relaxed and cooperative atmosphere, and simpler, more open-ended materials led to fundamental rethinking of the relationship of…

Discusses the renewed interest in clay as a modeling compound in early childhood programs; describes the nature of clay and presents a working vocabulary. Suggests methods of working with clay, including introducing clay to children, discovering its uses, clean up, firing clay, and finishing baked clay. Includes activity suggestions and…

Describes the use of Lois Ehlert's 1991 book "Planting a Rainbow" as the basis for a mathematics project involving gardening for primary students. Delineates gardening-activity suggestions related to mental math, numbers and operation, measurement, geometry and spatial awareness, time and money, patterns and relationships, and statistics and…

Describes a second-grade classroom activity in which children took photographs of their school while focusing on common themes generated by their teacher. Includes discussion of materials and costs for the activity, children's expectations, parental help, class sessions involved (instructions, taking pictures, developing photographs, sharing…

Presents tips on selecting and pursuing developmentally appropriate classroom projects for young children. Includes print and Web-site resources for project development. (KB)

Describes various approaches taken by Italian child-care programs to facilitate the young child's transition into a child care setting. Discusses the role of teachers as researchers, the role of parents as partners, and the benefits to young children. (KB)

Maintains that the Italian concept of "l'inserimento" suggests a different way of thinking about children's entry to out-of-home care and challenges American practitioners to rethink current interpretations of quality care, teachers' professional responsibilities, and the role of child-development theory. Concludes that cultural practices…

Describes common vision problems in young children such as myopia, strabismus, and amblyopia. Presents suggestions for helping children with vision problems in the early childhood classroom and in outdoor activities. Lists related resources and children's books. (KB)

Discusses the privacy dilemma encountered by early childhood practitioners when they find out that a child in their program or one of the child's family members has HIV/AIDS. Provides general and specific guidelines regarding HIV/AIDS, describes universal precautions in child care settings, and delineates myths and facts about HIV/AIDS. (KB)

Examines the incidence of teasing/bullying in early childhood classrooms and how teachers' responses help determine the extent of teasing/bullying. Presents tips for addressing this behavior before it becomes ingrained, including talking about teasing/bullying, making classroom rules, offering noncompetitive games and quieting activities,…