This collection contains the keynote address and several presentations that were delivered at a University of Minnesota conference on issues in early childhood education. Keynote speaker Rheta DeVries discussed three tasks facing the educator who is learning to be a constructivist teacher: understanding the nature of the child's mind; overcoming four empiricist ideas about teaching and learning; and completing four phases in movement toward the practice of constructivist education. Sectional presentations concerned: (1) developing an understanding of artistic works through art education during early childhood; (2) planning for play; (3) rearing competent children by applying developmental concepts; (4) teaching young children concepts in fire prevention, evasion, and safety; (5) using books in the classroom; (6) using community-based screening in early childhood in public schools, preschools, and child care programs; (7) using a Piagetian approach to mathematics with manipulatives; and (8) coping with disability by means of identification of positive contributions made by disabled persons, an informal support network, mixed support from professionals, and limited expectations for the future. Citations accompanying the presentations number 80. Mailing addresses of presenters are provided. (RH)