Special education teachers (N=123) rank ordered a list of functional skills associated with two-year-olds. The factor-analyzed results revealed a classification of four types of children in greatest need of early childhood special education placement: children environmentally at risk, lacking gross-motor skills, lacking readiness and fine-motor…

Describes an activity that introduces children to the diversity of life in a pond. Lists four resources. (JRH)

This article describes leadership development activities with gifted preschool and kindergarten children enrolled in the University of Redlands (California) summer school program and a local private elementary school. Methods of teaching the skills of social sensitivity, problem solving, and conflict resolution are described, including role…

Recounts conclusions from interviews with disabled and nondisabled students concerning music preferences, experiences, and skills. Reports similar responses from the two groups, suggesting that the labels "disabled" and "handicapped" are unimportant for classroom instruction and routines. Concludes that dancing was the favorite…

Teachers of children with visual impairments are encouraged to create their own useful and age-appropriate songs to help teach orientation and mobility skills to children in preschool to grade three. The songs can be created by writing new lyrics to well-known tunes or by writing new lyrics and melodies. (DB)

By using a problem-posing, critical literacy approach employing children's literature, even the complex issues of a world in conflict and confusion can be addressed through an ongoing dialogue. In this article, the author defines "critical literacy" as a process of constructing and critically using language (oral and written) as a means of…

Best practice is based on knowledge--not on beliefs or guesses--about how children learn and develop. This volume contains 20 overviews of research on aspects of young children's social, emotional, cognitive, or physical development, as well as how the findings can be applied in the classroom. Originally "Research in Review" articles in NAEYC's…

This easy-to-navigate guide offers research-based teaching strategies for introducing prekindergarten and elementary school students to the content and skills recommended by the NCTM principles and standards for mathematics. Using the popular format of the "What Successful Teachers Do" books, the authors present 47 dynamic learning activities,…

The new call for a universal preschool system is prompting an important policy debate across California. How preschooling is expanded and improved with limited public resources depends on several key issues. The hopeful ideals of "preschool for all"--with children beginning school ready to learn--spark enthusiasm and broaden public will.…

The study reported in this paper intended to trace what Chinese children think about life and identify their naive theories. Fifty-eight 5-year-old children in Taiwan from 39 kindergartens were interviewed using a semi-structured instrument. Results indicate that preschool children have preconceptions about the concept of life even before entering…

This book presents a number of learning activities using food. Each lesson contains stated objectives and suggestions for extended activities that could be useful to the classroom teacher. The first two chapters discuss what Jean Piaget proffered about young children and the ways in which they learn and how to organize learning through food…

Designed to assist administrators and teachers conducting prekindergarten early intervention programs for at-risk children, this curriculum guide outlines age-appropriate arts experiences that are process-oriented rather than product-oriented. After introductory statements, content focuses on learning activities in the visual arts, dance/creative…

This module focuses on the use of play as a natural and effective means for expanding the learning opportunities for young children in special preschool settings. It includes discussions of the different roles teachers assume as they incorporate play into their curriculum. The guide highlights instructional approaches which promote child learning,…

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…

Annotations of 200 children's films, selected through evaluations of reactions of children at screenings at several schools in New York City and upstate New York, are included in this catalog. The introductory material reviews the screening and evaluation process and provides a glossary of related terminology. The films are then presented in…