Discusses the child who has newly immigrated, the importance of peer acceptance, the skills of friendship, the promotion of prosocial behavior, the developmental sequence of friendship, the impact of moving on friendship, the encouragement of peer interaction, and the role of the teacher as mediator. (RH)

Discusses some of the theoretical and practical issues concerning initial writing instruction in kindergarten and first grade. (BB)

Underscoring folklore's appropriateness to multicultural classroom settings are its connection with past and present cultures, its constancy and change, and its potential for oral transmission of human values. Most importantly, folktales and songs enable children to participate in the history of universal human emotions. To effectively include…

Suggests guidelines for selecting and using picture books exploring emotionally charged issues to help attain therapeutic goals and/or to foster an emotionally enriching classroom experience. (RH)

This paper presents the position of the Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI) regarding children's right to creative thought and expression. The position statement begins with a comparison of creativity in children and in adults, asserting that children have the right to creative development and that opportunities for creative…

Examines the campaign to convince educators to use direct instruction programs such as DISTAR. Maintains that, although direct instruction is appropriate for low-level tasks and in desperate circumstances, direct instruction programs such as DISTAR deprofessionalize what early-childhood teachers do because it ignores their specialized training,…

Addresses several important aspects of young children's involvement with security objects, including why certain children have them, how they are used, when attachments to such objects are cause for concern, and how teachers and parents can respond in ways that promote the young child's development. (BB)

Examines the contributions of creativity and imagination to the total learning of the young child. Offers arguments against the myths that lead to deemphasis of the arts in curriculum. Recommends ways of refashioning schools to promote the expressive arts. (BB)

Observes that the major challenge teachers confront is resisting the urge to be a "know-it-all," to dispense facile answers, to stop the inquiry. Concludes that only after surmounting the fear of being without an answer and after a conscious decision is made to listen thoughtfully can real learning begin. (SD)

Discusses emotional responses and adjustment problems of preschool children when relocating. Particularly addresses young child's perspective on moving, typical reactions to relocating, and parent and teacher strategies to ease transition to new environment. Such strategies include (1) maintaining empathy, (2) being flexible, (3) being observant…

Presents specific ways teachers can create a safe, just, inclusive, communicative, inviting, and caring elementary classroom community that promotes academic achievement. Focuses on teachers becoming more caring and competent by being honest, cultivating communication skills, being flexible, being empathetic, promoting humor, being kind,…