The author believes that everyone has the potential to be creative. The challenge is to foster the conditions that enable creativity to flourish. These conditions are play, rich experiences, freedom, and passion.

The author invited some of his friends to give their views regarding key trends that will impact the early childhood world in the coming years. Chip Donohue, Director of Distance Learning, Erikson Institute, Chicago, Illinois, observed that the rapid pace of technology development and deployment has already changed, and will continue to change,…

Members of the World Forum community were invited to respond to the question: "What is the most urgent challenge facing young children in your country?" Here are some of their responses. Jamils Richard Achunji Anguaseh mentions that in Cameroon, young children face lots of insecurity, both from health hazards and poor parenting practices. There…

Having worked in the early childhood field for over three decades, the author has seen a lot of changes: The supply of child care services has increased ten-fold and the public respect for early childhood services has risen nearly as much. Despite these changes, certain challenges for these field have not been successfully addressed: Compensation…

As early childhood professionals from 78 countries prepare to travel to Belfast for the 2009 World Forum on Early Care and Education, these authors surveyed a sampling of those who will be attending on the current trends in early childhood education in their country. Delegates from over 40 countries responded, and in reviewing the reports from…

In this article, the author shares some of the ideas from 10 programs that make change happen in their community. Among others, the Sunshine House in Greenwood, South Carolina has implemented a program in selected markets that they called "Families First." This program is geared for families who have experienced a lay-off or reduction in work…

In this article, the author presents the challenges faced by early childhood education in 29 countries, according to the World Forum National Representatives and Global Leaders for Young Children. The countries represented in these responses include: Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, Fiji, India, Iran, Iraq, Japan,…

In an effort to explore current trends in the area of early childhood teacher preparation, the author organized a "Higher Education Trend Watchers Panel" and surveyed them for their views on current developments. This article presents the panelists' views about the demands for AA and BA programs and other trends in early childhood teacher…

This paper presents the country's early childhood educators' views from a survey conducted by "Exchange" regarding on trends affecting the early childhood segment of higher education. From the survey, five key trends were identified: (1) Shrinking student population--teachers are paid poorly so there is little incentive to invest resources in a…

Provides compilation of guidelines for purchasing educational toys. Considers the value of educational toys, including their appeal and stimulation, age appropriateness, and open-endedness; the toys' construction quality, including methods of construction and manufacturer reputation; safety factors, especially potential for choking and poisoning;…

Examines reasons for slowed growth in employer child care over the past two years. Discusses the impact of the economic recession, organizational changes in the largest employer child care management organizations, international acquisitions of the Bright Horizons child care organization, flexible options for the child care benefit, and the…

Presents an annotated directory of organizations serving children under age eight in more than one nation. Notes the headquarters, website, and mission statement for each organization. (JPB)

From a journal readers' poll naming 200 professionals seen as key people who have shaped the early childhood care profession, profiles 30 individuals selected to represent the mix of common interests and varied contributions characteristic of the rich diversity of early care professionals. Includes brief biographies with comments on contributions…

Describes common mistakes to be avoided by child care directors in early childhood catalog purchasing. Notes roadblocks to successful purchases, including failing to check out seller's reliability, comparing prices without including shipping costs or considering product quality, failing to anticipate needs, ordering from outdated catalogs, failing…

Examines nonprofit child care in the United States and its role in various other nations. Focuses on the legal status of various types of for-profit and nonprofit U.S. centers and centers in Canada, Russia, Namibia, Malaysia, Sweden, Uruguay, Croatia, Japan, Australia, Hungary, Kenya, Singapore, Lithuania, Bangladesh, and Tanzania. (KB)