These "letters for parents" offer information about becoming a parent and the characteristics of preschool children. The first letter focuses on the transition to parenthood, bonding and attachment, and the infant's temperament. The second letter describes 3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds and offers advice about practicing safety. (RH)

While it has been, and currently is, the practice of early childhood educators to evaluate educational programs in terms of their impact on children's development, enhancing children's knowledge may be as important as enhancing development; it is possible, in fact, that the enhancement of knowledge could be a better goal for early childhood…

Two samples of parents and one of teachers were interviewed to determine (1) what parents of early adolescents believe about adolescence as a developmental period and what they expect for their own adolescents' development; (2) junior high school teachers' beliefs about adolescent development; (3) evidence for the effects of personal experience…

This document consists of a compilation of three separate 4-page brochures by the same authors: (1) understanding babies and toddlers; (2) understanding three to six-year olds; (3) disciplining preschoolers. The first brochure covers bonding and attachment, infant temperament, patterns of growth, and the characteristics of children during the…

The effects of cooperation between day care personnel and parents were assessed in two stages. First, action research in three experimental day care centers and two control groups created and evaluated a cooperative program. Second, the results of the research were implemented as an intervention program supporting home education in family day care…

This manual provides guidelines for dance teachers in secondary schools. A brief statement is made on the purpose and philosophy of dance education, and activities and instructional suggestions are presented for various dance forms: (1) group dance--folk/ethnic, square dance, and social dance; (2) aerobic dance; (3) jazz dance; (4) modern dance;…

Based on the belief that positive physical teacher/learner interaction in the form of touch or closeness is a natural expression of humanness and an appropriate demonstration of a teacher's acceptance, caring, and concern for the wellness of students, this essay seeks to provide a clear theoretical framework from which to view the importance of…

There is considerable debate regarding the effects of childhood sexual abuse on an individual's subsequent adjustment. To determine which variables are most useful in predicting subsequent adjustment of individuals who were involved in sexual experiences as children or adolescents, 59 female and 17 male undergraduates who reported having had a…

A longitudinal study of achievement data from public schools in Durham County, North Carolina, was undertaken to examine individual growth curves as well as to chart the progress of educational institutions and the effects of aggregation on the study of growth. A two-level hierarchical linear model was used in the study to specify individual…

Provided is a statement on Alberta, Canada's policy on educational program continuity for early childhood services and elementary grades through grade six. Specifically, discussion focuses on the definition of educational program continuity, background to the policy initiative, rationale for the policy, principles of child development…

In 1986 the Danforth Foundation Program for the Preparation of School Principals was launched at Georgia State University, the University of Alabama, and Ohio State University. All participants have attempted to address the foundation's primary objectives: (1) to work with faculty to develop alternative preparation programs in collaboration with…

This review of studies on clinical and nonclinical populations explores outcomes of adoption and developmental issues for adolescents, and in particular, developmental problems for adopted adolescents. Studies on nonclinical populations demonstrate that adoption is a highly successful form of substitute care. Prospective longitudinal studies show…

Presented is a clinically derived framework for thinking about young children that deals primarily with one child at a time and with adults who are important to the child. The focus of the discussion is on ways in which an individual 4-year-old appears, behaves, and gets along or has trouble in a group of peers. It is suggested that teachers have…

While there is a genuine hope among some educators that computer use will radically restructure the process of education, and fear from others that it may very well succeed in doing so, it is unlikely that such aspirations or fears should be held for early childhood education at this time. Nor does it seem likely that the situation will change…

This paper presents a conceptual model for guiding research on homework. Based on elements derived from a review of 26 recent U.S. and international empirical studies of homework, the model emphasizes the need to consider many variables in order to reach an understanding of the design and conduct of homework assignments, homework completion, and…