The rapid growth of information and communication technologies (ICT) has prompted concerns among parents, educators, and policymakers over the suitability of many educational applications and electronic toys for young children. This book provides information on how children from birth to age 6 develop an early awareness--and subsequently develop…

This chapter is part of a book that recounts the year's work at the Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) at Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi. Rather than an "elitist" laboratory school for the children of university faculty, the ECDC is a collaboration between the Corpus Christi Independent School District and the…

This literature review summarizes information related to the major models of providing education, child care, and family-oriented services to an early childhood population, the effectiveness of these models, and strategies for delivering early childhood services for children with special needs. The focus of the review is on information presented…

Staff members working in early childhood services have enormous potential to influence young children's developing attitudes toward cultural diversity and gender equity. This issue of the Australian Early Childhood Association Research in Practice Series focuses on how early childhood staff can work productively through the challenges of achieving…

These six theme-oriented newsletter issues present specific curriculum planning ideas and activities for teachers of young children. The theme of the January-February 1997 issue is "The Arts of Winter." Topics in this issue include celebrating with music and movement, learning songs, classroom visitors and the arts, art in picture books,…

Main section argues that developing aptitudes for creativity in infants and toddlers is an important goal. Suggests the foundations of creativity begin with feeling valued, learning to combine things, exploring space and direction (gross motor development), fine motor development, making things happen, making a mess, and exposure to variety.…

Interviews 40 British parents and their children's nursery school teachers, concerning parental involvement in children's preschool reading and writing. Reveals parents frequently assist and direct their children in language arts activities but do not feel confident and teachers expressed doubts about parental interest. Shows need for greater…

Discusses (1) the function of preschool education; (2) target populations served by early childhood education; (3) the kinds of programs that are most appropriate for these populations; (4) the issue of whether preschool makes a difference; and (5) the kinds of practices that make a difference in particular areas of development and for particular…

Effective teaching requires skill in implementing challenging and inviting curricular activities. It also involves evaluating children's learning in order to extend their development through the school year. Being able to implement and evaluate at the same time is at the heart of good teaching. Written for PreK-3 educators, this book blends…

This book relates the personal and professional experiences of a nursery school teacher over the course of an entire school year, focusing on ways that early childhood educators can improve their teaching through self-reflection. Individual chapters address the end of summer and the preparation for the new school year, home visits, setting up the…

This document was developed to help early childhood service providers understand Aboriginal children and their cultural context. The guide starts from the premise that it is vital that early childhood experiences are culturally relevant and affirming for individual children. Aboriginal perspectives on topics such as family, child rearing,…

This book examines the implications of existing learning theories for early childhood education, with a special emphasis on Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP). Chapter 1, "Challenging Developmentally Appropriate Practice: An Introduction (Marilyn Fleer), presents the debate and summarizes the remaining chapters. Chapter 2, "Does…

This kindergarten curriculum guide describes children's learning and development in a play-based environment and the creation of such an environment. The first part of the guide discusses child development. Physical development is considered in terms of sensory awareness, motor skills, creative movement, skilled actions with objects, and the…

This document provides guidelines for administrators, practitioners, and parents to use in developing high quality preschool education programs for 4-year-olds. Ideas presented in the document are based on principles set forth and confirmed by research on individual needs of young children, child development, and the conditions under which…

Results of the secondary analysis of data obtained in a study of Head Start graduates in the public schools are presented and discussed in this final report. Unforeseen circumstances prohibited the full implementation of the original longitudinal research design, and, consequently, only one test battery was administered to first-grade students.…