Children have long enjoyed a special status in the family and the community in India, where traditional teaching techniques include song, dance, play, and storytelling. In India, play-oriented, child-centered approaches to teaching and learning, which are common in the United States, Canada, Europe, and elsewhere, are the exception to the norm…

Social justice might be considered too complex a topic to address with 6- and 7-year-olds, particularly through mathematics. How would first-graders understand social justice? The author believes that by focusing on inequality in relation to power and access to resources, freedom, and diversity, children could understand social justice issues. The…

Describes a model parenting program at Prairie View Elementary School, Gainesville, Florida, aimed at providing preventive, developmental and educational services for new parents and their children. (CM)

Describes the kindergarten of the Decroly school of Barcelona, a private school that emphasizes flexibility and the use of the natural environment as a lesson resource. (DR)

Reviews findings of selected studies on the effects of different types of preschopl programs and teaching practices on children. (HOD)

A teacher introduced mathematical concepts into six year olds' stories about losing and growing teeth. Results demonstrated that children's authentic mathematical experiences are derived from the children's knowledge and experience, are multimodal, and are open ended. Calls for open-ended activities that allow children to explore ways to use…

Presents a teaching approach developed by Edmund Feldman that encourages young children to talk about art through guided discussion. A dialogue with a small group of four- and five-year-olds about the painting, "The Countess of Sussex and Her Daughter," by Thomas Gainsborough, is included. (BB)

Discusses and illustrates the ways in which early childhood teachers can teach preschoolers about peace. Teachers can implement two simple rules: "Don't hurt anyone," and "Use words to settle problems." Explains how these rules would be implemented in particular preschool situations. (BB)

Describes implementation of the Reggio Approach in a university preschool. Summarizes the learning assumptions and teaching methods used. Examines the parent-teacher, teacher-teacher, and teacher-child partnerships; and describes and reflects on student projects related to dinosaurs, kites, castles, princes, and princesses. Discusses the impact on…

A unit on butterflies in a first grade classroom gave the children scientific knowledge and incorporated subject areas other than science. (BB)