Effective early childhood teachers use what they know about and have observed in young children to design programs to meet children's developmental needs. Play and active learning are key tools to address those needs and facilitate children's early education. In this article, the author discusses the benefits of active learning in the education of…

Reflects upon, and makes recommendations for, teaching young children to read, write, and spell. Focuses on meeting children's emotional needs, essential components of healthy emotional development, how reading is typically taught, and learning letters and phonics. Stresses the importance of paying equal attention to developmental ages and stages,…

Discusses how the whole-language process provides an authentic approach to lifelong learning. Includes discussions of Cambourne's conditions for learning; Holdaway's natural learning model; Goodman's miscue analysis research; whole-language theory; the role of teachers, students, and the community in language arts; and the role of the classroom…

A kindergarten teacher relates her teaching experiences as she reexamines her role as teacher and shifts her focus from reading readiness to teaching reading. She reflects on her teaching practices, on learning new skills herself, and the challenge of incorporating new knowledge and practices into classroom instruction. (TJQ)

Describes four educators' experiences as they implemented antibias curriculum and church-based programs in their classrooms. Proposes methods that can foster children's awareness of racial and cultural diversity, and analyzes the importance and benefits of being part of a program that is rooted in antibias-multicultural principles. (AA)

Points out positive aspects of mainstreaming for both hadicapped and nonhandicapped children. Indicates specific teaching approaches appropriate for children with special needs such as language/speech disability, and mental, hearing, visual and physical impairments. Provides 10 guidelines for teaching in the mainstreamed classroom. (Author/RH)

Explores how teachers in early childhood programs can contribute to the aesthetic development of young children. Suggestions include sharing awareness of beauty; attending to design of school environment; providing fine art in classroom; exploring artwork with children; providing beautiful books; direct experience with art/artists; providing…

When alphabet instruction is removed from the meaningful context of written language, children receive a distorted message about the purpose and importance of letters in isolation. Activities in a kindergarten classroom designed to promote children's growth as readers and writers should present written language as whole and meaningful, rather than…

Argues that although computers may promote the early childhood educator model of teaching, there are reasons for concern in the classroom with computers. Cautions against using a child's computer competence to measure developmental and intellectual abilities and levels. Argues that education is a social experience which computers cannot simulate.…

Explores the importance of play in the cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development of young children. Functional, constructive, and dramatic play, and games with rules, are examined. Suggests that play is a powerful curricular tool for the kindergarten and primary classroom. Investigates ways to integrate play into the curriculum and to…

Argues that phonemic awareness in young readers may be knowledge that is constructed in the unique situation of trying to match speech to an alphabetic orthography. Stages of learning about print, teaching children about written language, and the roles of alphabet recognition and perceptual-motor skills in learning to read are discussed.…

Examines classic fairy tales, noting the lack of attention given the role of imagination in children's learning. Discusses features of fairy stories such as structure, oppositional concepts, and emotional component, then infers four principles about young children's learning. Gives two examples of how these principles can influence teaching to be…