In this article, the author discusses how a new afterschool arrangement is upsetting a 4-year-old child named Mackenzie. Her babysitter left last week, just as her mom started a new job with longer hours. She is missing her former caregiver and mom a lot. Based on the stories from her teacher and her father, the author gives her assessment of…

Parents need to remember that crying is the first method of communication for children younger than 5 or 6. It is their way of getting attention. While it isn't easy for new parents to interpret their baby's cries, most learn to distinguish the "I am hungry--feed me" cry from the "My tummy hurts" or the "I am just fussy and bored" cry. This…

In this article, the author presents the story of Tucker, a child who constantly looks for attention. The author assesses that children like Tucker frequently wrestle with feelings of jealousy and competition. However, Tucker's intense competitiveness is a bit beyond what one would expect, even for a young child who has a chronically ill older…

Presents steps that teachers can take if they suspect a student is the victim of sexual abuse. The teacher's responsibility is to set the stage for others to investigate by reporting and discussing concerns with the principal, keeping the child calm, and meeting with parents. A list of crucial questions to consider is included. (SM)

Shyness is a general term used for behavior that has several different bases. Ten to fifteen percent of children are born with predisposition to shyness. There are two main types of shy children: those who are temperamentally shy from birth, which is evident by their second birthdays, and those who don't become shy from birth until a few years…

In this article, the author responds to a teacher's request for advice on how to handle one 4-year-old child in class who is having difficulty adjusting to changes. According to the parents, maybe that is because they have been so careful to keep promises and be predictable at home. The author provides some suggestions on how to work with the…

In this article, the author discusses how to help Kyle, a 5-year-old child who is struggling with his parent's new marriage. Kyle's teacher's story describing Kyle's behavior in the classroom as well as the parent's story based on Kyle's home life are presented. Among other things, the author provides an assessment of the situation and offers…

This article deals with the problem between the teacher and parent of a child who will not participate in group activities. Here, the author features the teacher's story as well as the parent's story. Some children take a long time to warm up to group play. Often, these are imaginative youngsters who are quite content to amuse themselves. They may…

Two articles offer suggestions for primary level teachers to help their students grow. The first discusses how teachers should respond to violence and help students regain a sense of safety. The second presents 10 everyday ways to help children appreciate many cultures, noting how teachers can examine their own biases. (SM)

Offers suggestions on helping foster children adjust and succeed at home and school. Drawing on advice from a child psychologist and an adoption/foster care expert, the paper discusses how foster care and adoption work, how the school can help, and what the families need. (SM)