The document is a collection of articles, all of which concern educational reform in general and humanistic/affective education in particular. The first article establishes a theme for the book in warning that undue stress on competencies and skills may mean losing sight of equally valid and important humanistic aims of education. A common concern of many of the articles is developing positive self-concept in children; encouraging moral development; helping the child to understand and express humor, aggression, anger, and other personal feelings; and devising curricula that can spark a child's imagination. Two articles focus on the habit of teachers to shy away from teaching science, both out of unfamiliarity with the subject and a lack of ingenuity in thinking of ways to make it accessible to young children. Experiments and projects are suggested which are both lively and educational. Another article examines children's difficulty with math and tries to focus on what kinds of operational thinking, as identified by Piaget, are required to master different mathematical problems, An article by Albert Shanker argues for strengthening the role of teacher associations in issues of educational policy. Other articles concern the role of the teacher in the open classroom, student role in a person-centered program, and competency based teacher education. (CD)