Stressing pragmatics (the way a person uses language in psychosocial situations) in child language can help the teacher both in identifying what the child is ready to learn and providing appropriate instructional intervention. (DB)

Suggests that the socialization of children works against their creativity. Argues that increasing children's exploratory opportunities results in raising the likelihood of new discoveries. Concludes that the establishment of a structure for fostering creativity is a key factor in promoting child development. (SG)

Presented are a strategy for recording observations of preschool children, documentation of the strategy in use in a nursery school, and thoughts on the importance of observing for curriculum planning, teacher-parent conferences, and professionalism. The system of documentation includes a daily attendance record, written observations on children's…

This article surveys the current state of curriculum options for gifted preschoolers, and provides data from a survey of 60 educators of preschoolers in South Carolina concerning attitudes about appropriate curricula and instruction. Drawing on these results a list of recommendations for improvements in preschool programs is offered. (PB)

Arts and crafts education opens up the creative ambitions of hearing-impaired children, cultivates their ability to express themselves, strengthens their organizational ability, helps them develop visual and tactile sensitivity, and increases their interest in learning. Self-respect and self-confidence are the result. (RM)

Recent calls for educational reform focus on the need for curricula emphasizing conceptual learning that is integrated across traditional subject areas. In response to this, the major national subject-matter organizations (including the National Council of Teachers of English) met to discuss and develop guidelines for integrating the curriculum…

The process of money management should be taught as soon as the child becomes aware of money, usually as early as ages 3 or 4. At this level, teaching may be in the form of explaining the difference between the value of a nickel and a dime. Money management training often begins with the allocation of an allowance. Parents are advised not to link…

A strong case can be made for inclusion of music in any general curriculum because of some special features of the human brain and the muscular system to which it is bonded. Music can help us fulfill our biological heritage. (RM)

Aspects of the spoken language development of the preschool and primary school child are briefly covered, with specific attention given to receptive and expressive language, semantics, syntax, memory, articulation, pragmatics, and metalanguage. Developmental norms are indicated in the areas of vocabulary development, sentence structure…

How Piaget's theory of developmental stages affects the musical ability of children at different ages is important for the music educator to understand. The following developmental stages are discussed: sensorimotor period, preoperations period, concrete operations period, formal operations period, and creative stage. (RM)

A total of 28 middle class preschool children ranging in age from 3.5 to 5.5 years participated in a study designed to identify characteristic behaviors of children differing in their social acceptance by peers. Indexes of social acceptance and rejection were obtained through a peer nomination procedure based on queries about most and least…

A classroom technique, the "Educational Lure" provides activities for the preschool child to "cruise, choose, explore, and learn." The "lure" consists of an object or collection of objects brought into the school, usually by the teacher. It may be made up of generally unfamiliar objects, familiar objects rarely talked about, or familiar objects…

Music education for preschool children holds much growth potential for music educators. Parents should be encouraged to sing lullabies to their babies and to provide a home atmosphere rich with music. Music educators should serve as guides to parents in an effort to influence positively the musical development of children. (RM)

Preschool children experience literature early on through nursery rhymes, being read to, and tales told by parents and grandparents. This introduction to the literature of a child's culture, family, and times should be a most comfortable experience. On reaching school, however, the child will find that the demands of pedagogy become insistent over…

A more effective partnership for the advocacy of integrated educational options can be formed when parents and professionals work in concert. Eleven strategies for securing integrated options are offered, including working with the media, working within other advocacy organizations, influencing others in the school system, and consulting with…