Examines young children's responses to and understanding of death. Discusses children's concepts of death; how their grief process differs from that of adults; stages of grief; factors affecting grief responses; acceptance of children's grief response; support for grieving children, especially funeral services and counseling; and preparing and…

Provides specific tips for preschool teachers on how to better include children with exceptional health needs, hearing needs, learning needs, communication needs, visual impairment, or physical needs. Suggests that facilitating social skills is an essential part of facilitating true interaction. (KDFB)

Examines state financial commitment to child care and early education. Indicates that levels of commitment vary widely, are inadequate to serve many children and families in need, and depend more on state "will" than on state resources. Points out that states give child care and early education a low priority. Suggests that increased commitment is…

Contends that educators and caregivers are still constrained in relationships with parents, respond with resentment and stonewalling when parents express uneasiness about pedagogical practices, and too frequently treat parents and children from other cultures differently. Suggests that true dialog may transform practitioners as educators, children…

Discusses the importance of educators' partnerships with colleagues, including the role of a shared sense of mission in the work environment. Considers the importance of providing highest quality services for children and their families and a healthy and supportive work environment for adults. Suggests that practitioners and parents need to…

Presents proposed changes to the Code of Ethics of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), which were suggested at the November 21, 1996, meeting of the NAEYC Ethics Panel. Requests comments on the proposed revisions. (KDFB)

Argues that successful provider-led training occurs when caregivers decide the type of assistance needed, the time and setting for learning, and when agency assistance is useful. Describes the facilitator approach utilized by the Satellites of Greater Rochester, which helps low-income neighborhoods receive technical assistance, training, and…

Contends that parents choose and are satisfied with substandard child care. Explores how educators expect available resources to influence parents' child care choices and how parents actually choose child care. Discusses possible explanations, including incongruence between parents' and educators' basic beliefs and values relating to child care…

Argues that happy separations are characterized by good relationships between teacher/caregiver and parents and ample time for parents to be in the classroom environment. Provides 10 suggestions for easing the transition for children starting or changing schools to ease the separation anxiety and to make transitions as smooth as possible. (SD)

Describes a reworking of a Title 1 program in Lake Forest, Delaware schools, to eliminate first grade retention due to substandard level of reading ability. The process included: (1) making reading fun; (2) new reading material; (3) parental participation; (4) scheduled reading time; (5) reading requirements; and (6) teachers' aides in classrooms.…

Describes a primary teacher's experience with implementing developmentally appropriate practice. Documents the process of changing teaching methods, abandoning ability grouping in reading, giving children significant choices, following children's progress, staying informed and sharing with colleagues, informing parents, and evaluating teaching…

Argues successful intergenerational curriculum should meet the following criteria: (1) developmentally appropriate; (2) socially appropriate for impaired adults; (3) functionally appropriate; and (4) coexploration and mutual benefit. Suggests activities including free conversation, singing, music, telling or reading stories, and cooking. Advocates…

Describes a project to create accessibility in a preschool, whose genesis was a student comment which blossomed into a four-month endeavor. The project serves as a guide to implementing an emergent curriculum project. Describes the process of responding to children, anticipating their next inquiry, following their lead, and encouraging their…

Argues a violent society adversely affects the development of young children, and caregivers must play a healing role in caring for children. Examines how violence affects children's sense of self, a child's relationships with others, and a child's world view. Supports building worthwhile relationships with parents and providing a safe haven. (SD)

Studied preschool children's inability to distinguish fantasy from fact utilizing the case of the popular movie Jurassic Park and the subsequent false information children obtained about dinosaurs. Described attempts made by teachers to address the resultant aggressive behavior and false knowledge gained and replace it with constructive knowledge.…