Over the past three decades, our understanding of science learning in early childhood has improved exponentially and today we have a strong empirically based understanding of science experiences for children aged three to six years. However, our understanding of science learning as it occurs for children from birth to three years, is limited. We…

Visual-verbal-paired associate learning (PAL) is strongly related to reading acquisition, possibly indexing a distinct cross-modal mechanism for learning letter-sound associations. We measured linguistic abilities (nonword repetition, vocabulary size) longitudinally at 3.5 and 4.0 years, and visual-verbal PAL and letter knowledge at 4.0 and…

Executive function (EF) predicts children's academic achievement; however, less is known about the relation between EF and the actual learning process. Furthermore, more research is needed to better understand how different aspects of the learning environment interact with EF to influence learning. The current dissertation includes two studies to…

Art, drama, music, dance and literature activities are part of the basic components of an early childhood curriculum. They do not rely heavily on oral language or English proficiency, and this makes them accessible to all children regardless of language differences or language abilities. Teachers can use creative expression and art to practice…

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

There may be many different reasons why children have problems paying attention. One child might be visually oversensitive. Another child, who is oversensitive to smells, might be distracted by the teachers' perfume. Auditory sensitivity can be just as distracting. As such, it is important to remember that children with developmental difficulties…

Describes use of participant observation in a preschool setting, reporting findings on children's sociodramatic play, roles children assign adults, children's perceptions of teacher-directed organization and activities, children's spontaneous conversations, and individual learning differences and styles. Points out implications of such…

In a case study of three language-delayed and language-disordered preschoolers, children failed to demonstrate generalization of learned communicative strategies across settings until professionals recognized and accepted the established communicative signs of the child's home and began to collaborate with the mother in establishing new…

This study examined the relation between the amount of mathematical input in the speech of preschool or day-care teachers and the growth of children's conventional mathematical knowledge over the school year. Three main findings emerged. First, there were marked individual differences in children's conventional mathematical knowledge by 4 years of…

Presents a former family day care provider's reflections on preschool teaching priorities. Priorities include teaching flexibility and creativity, acceptance of one's own and others' vulnerability, valuing of each other's individuality, and development of empathy. (BB)

Argues that inclusion of children with disabilities into various preschool settings presents opportunities for early childhood educators to address issues of differences through the use of effective tools and teaching strategies. Suggests that a journal-type portfolio is a tool early-childhood educators can use to enhance the acceptance of…

This guide is designed for supervisors and trainers who are helping teachers of young children implement the Creative Curriculum for Early Childhood: a curriculum that is based on child development theory and is developmentally appropriate for preschool and kindergarten children. The guide gives particular emphasis to a carefully organized, rich…

To enable educators, parents, and policymakers to make sound decisions about programs for young children, the Committee on Early Childhood Pedagogy was established in 1997 by the National Research Council to study a broad range of research on early learning and development and to explore the implications for the education and care of children ages…