All teachers of all subjects at all levels have to address the question: What should be learned? Their answers to this question depend in part on the ages of the learners. Teachers' answers at the secondary school level are typically formulated in terms of the specific subjects they teach. Those teaching at the primary school level usually respond…

This paper, outlining the present goals, purposes and future role of the Illinois Association for the Education of Young Children (ILLAEYC), discusses what is involved in providing high quality programs for young children everywhere, not only in Illinois. Among ILLAEYC's objectives: (1) to provide a channel of information for people working with…

Author discusses the application of behavior modification techniques to certain disruptive behaviors. (MB)

Contrasting approaches to early childhood education are evident in the constructivist versus instructivist schools of thought. On one side, the child is seen as active constructor of knowledge and understanding; on the other, the child is dependent on another's instruction in knowledge and skills. This paper explores some of the implications of…

Presents a wish list for the Clinton administration. Wishes concern compensation for child care workers; discontinuance of the nation's tendency to compete with other countries in the educational arena; rejection of cost effectiveness as a criterion for justifying educational programs; bilingual education; and guaranteed justice for all children.…

Two aspects of preschool teaching, teacher role and teacher style, are discussed in this paper. Teacher role refers to a teacher's behavior concerning the duties, responsibilities, and functions expected of the teacher by her clients and herself. Teacher style refers to the way in which individual teachers perform their roles. Teachers have had…

Discusses goals of early education, and the qualities of programs, teachers and administration which would help to implement these goals. (NH)

The purpose of this digest is to examine the meaning of the term "disposition" and to suggest the implications of dispositions for educational practice. A disposition is a tendency to exhibit frequently, consciously, and voluntarily a pattern of behavior that is directed to a broad goal. Dispositional considerations are important…

At their summit meeting in February, 1990, the President of the United States and the National Governors' Association established the national education goal that "all children will start school ready to learn" by the year 2000. The process of reaching this goal will require a twofold strategy. First, families will need help in their…

It is proposed in this paper that the goals of teacher education programs should include not only the acquistion of knowledge and skills, but also a class of outcomes called "dispositions." A disposition is defined as an attribution which summarizes the trend of a teacher's actions across similar contexts. The construct is descriptive and…

An educational issue today concerns the quality of teaching in preschools. Many additional preschool teachers will be required in the next few years to meet the increased enrollments in preschool programs. Not only must proper training programs for future teachers be designed, but it has been noted that most people now teaching preschool children…

Discussed disadvantages of efficiency approach to education. Distinguishes between the concepts of consuming and generating ideas, between a child's behavior and his experiences and between temporary excitement and sustained interest in regard to learning. (ST)

In the coming years, the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) will need to confront a number of issues relating to its structure and mission and the larger context in which the association works. In terms of organizational structure, it is useful to consider the nature of the democratic process and the role that…

The purpose of this essay is to explore contemporary early childhood educational practices related to self-esteem and to distinguish self-esteem from narcissism. After discussing practices and materials that are intended to foster self-esteem but may contribute to self-preoccupation, the essay examines some of the distinctions between self-esteem…

Describes the goals of assessment in early childhood education programs, suggesting that assessment plans should focus on knowledge, skills, dispositions, and feelings. Argues that the younger children are, the more errors are made in assessment, and that efforts should therefore balance global and specific assessments. Suggests assessment…