Presents the 1997 position of the National Association for the Education of Young Children regarding licensing and public regulation of early childhood programs. Discusses current shortcomings in licensing systems. Delineates 10 principles for effective regulation related to regulation criteria; complementary professional licensing of individuals;…

Contrasts experiences of two children during the first week of kindergarten to illustrate the importance of the classroom environment for inviting children to become full participants in the learning process. (KB)

Presents ways that early childhood educators can use classroom activities and routines to portray values related to ecology and to teach children respect for the planet. Describes strategies such as recycling materials, opening a milk and juice bar where children could purchase drinks rather than use small juice boxes, using cloth napkins, and…

Discusses how nutrition education may be implemented in early childhood classrooms. Describes the incidence of malnutrition and obesity, and topics covered--the food pyramid, vegetable growth, and nutritional needs--through several integrated nutrition units including: (1) the bread basket; (2) potatoes; (3) vegetable soup; (4) fruit basket; (5)…

Discusses how food preparation activities in the early childhood classroom can facilitate parent participation. Explains how cooking activities can involve reading, math, science, reading, writing, multicultural components, and creativity. They also provide opportunities to foster social skills, independence, and following directions. Suggests…

Reviews selected research on children's early formation of categories. Finds sophistication in how children group objects and think about those groupings. Notes findings related to type of grouping (thematic or taxonomic), multiple classifications, overgeneralization, the role of background knowledge on classification abilities, the…

Discusses implementing multicultural curricula in early childhood settings. Maintains that early childhood educators need to accept and learn to: live with their personal biases while identifying and confronting them to teach tolerance and acceptance; customize work to staff and children in the program, and be aware of the danger of putting…

Notes preschoolers' parallel play as analogous to the complexity of American early childhood service delivery. Describes four relatively independent service systems for typically developing children and two for children with special needs. Suggests that this "parallel" approach results in complicated and overlapping services, and urges development…

This article discusses supporting friendship formation in young children with autism. Strategies for facilitating friendships are discussed and include creating opportunities for displaying special talents and abilities; discovering common interests; adapting the curriculum and available materials; and recognizing the importance of school to home…

This article describes a 4-step protocol for selecting and facilitating production of a first vocabulary in children with specific language impairment using a focused language stimulation approach. Focused language stimulation includes general language stimulation techniques and, in addition, requires frequent, highly concentrated repetitions of…

This article describes specific steps educational teams can follow to embed individualized education program (IEP) goals and objectives into daily activities and routines and, therefore, enhance the likelihood that intervention efforts are effective, individualized, and developmentally appropriate for young children with disabilities. Strategies…

This article lists eight resources for providing effective services to very young children who are deaf or hard-of-hearing and their families. Resources address communication options, early intervention, aural-oral and sign options for hearing families in early home programming, cochlear implants, and sharing the joy of storytelling with toddlers…

This article discusses home/family factors related to the development of emergent literacy skills in preschool-age children and presents the Home Literacy Inventory for assessing children's non-print activities, reading activities, writing activities, and current reading and writing abilities. How the information can be used to develop…

This article argues that if professionals categorize parents as "in denial," unaccepting, or difficult, professionals may lose the chance to understand and learn from the parents. Recommendations are provided for rethinking denial and working with parents, including supporting parents' hopes and dreams for their child, suspending judgment, and…

This article describes the Let's Play Project model, which uses play as the outcome for families and children with disabilities. The model is family-centered, play-focused, and uses assistive technology in the facilitation of play and development. Six assistive technology categories that are used are explained with examples of low-tech…