Many parents--whether employed outside the home or not--either want or need preschool for their young children. Research indicates that quality early educational experiences bestow numerous benefits on children, including developing a love of school, healthy socialization, meaningful learning, and preparation for kindergarten. Equipped with this…

During the past six months the author was fortunate to travel to Hungary three times. Although all three trips had different purposes, they had one thing in common: professional conversations between colleagues from Hungary and the United States. In this article, the author would like to provide a short overview of these visits, which resulted in…

Raises issues for public debate and discussion about the child's right to learn. Suggestions include immediate closure of harmful centers, state licensing laws, expanding present child care services in the public schools, and federal legislation of a Comprehensive Child Development Act that puts early childhood education programs into the public…

Examines rarely considered aspects of the planning and implementing of Christmas programming for preschool and elementary school students. Focuses on unintended negative consequences of the Christmas curriculum on children. Argues that current practices are detrimental to both Christian and non-Christian children. (BB)

A study on the improvement of language ability among preschool children in Vermillion, South Dakota, showed a lack of family support and other family problems, such as child abuse and neglect, in the homes of the experimental group children. Educators must redouble efforts to educate parents and the society in general about children's needs. (BB)

Analyzes the impact that play has on science and mathematics learning for preschool and elementary school children. Examples are given of learning opportunities in science and mathematics available through children's play. Also considers the attitudes developed through play--curiosity, divergent thinking and motivation--essential to learning in…

Presents a joint statement by various educational associations of concerns about present practices in pre-first grade reading instruction and offers recommendations for improvement. (Author/BB)

Addresses attitudes toward reading resulting in beginning reading instruction in the kindergarten and preschool curriculum. Argues that previously accepted notions of the necessity of reading readiness are no longer viable and encourages home and classroom support for the acquisition of reading abilities through written and oral language. (DST)

Describes the daily program of a highly successful Japanese preschool based on the Suzuki educational philosophy which emphasizes repetition and structure in teaching. Explores possibility of using program in other educational settings, particularly in the West, because of high cognitive gains by children. (DST)

Discusses how children learn to share, gives three examples of children's sharing behavior, and raises issues concerning the teaching of sharing skills. (RH)

Describes aspects of mainstreaming a visually impaired three-year-old child into a Montessori preschool, discussing assessment of the child, sites available for enrollment, introduction into the site, Montessori teacher and special education teacher coordination, the child's adjustment, peer reactions, and teacher intervention. (RH)

Answers five questions related to the advisability of mainstreaming handicapped preschoolers. It is concluded that a strong rationale exists for integrating handicapped preschool children into regular programs and that research findings indicate that integration is beneficial to both handicapped and nonhandicapped. (Author/RH)

Discusses the growing recognition of international and social priorities concerning bilingual competency, the relevance of these priorities for child development, and research findings comparing the verbal and nonverbal skills of monolingual and bilingual children. The implications of the research for preschool and elementary curricula in the…

Presents a critical response to Bloom's thesis that all persons can learn if provided with appropriate prior and current conditions of learning. Unexamined assumptions regarding individual similarities are questioned. Logic supporting the thesis, practicality of the thesis, and unpursued implications are examined. (Author/DB)

Discusses techniques for managing toddler circles. Notes that flexible transitions reduce frustration, suggests the importance of flexible and reasonable expectations, and considers the value of instruction grounded in child experience. Recommends materials that can be safely manipulated by toddlers and emphasizes that activity transitions must be…