This article describes seven dimensions of establishing a caring community at the University of Arkansas Nursery School in Fayetteville. Key components relate to the director setting the tone for the school, the instructor-student relationship, empathetic teacher-child interactions, empathetic teacher-parent interactions, celebration of…

Research provides insight into parent attributes that support partnerships with teachers. These attributes include warmth, sensitivity, nurturance, the ability to listen, consistency, positive self-image, personal competence, and effective interpersonal skills. Researchers have cited positive attitudes, continuous teacher training, involvement in…

This paper, a session proposal for a rural and small schools conference, reports on a project undertaken by 166 parents and staff of South Carolina's Target 2000 Parent Education Program to assess the effectiveness of the program's design and implementation process. The main research question studied concerned what were found to be the most…

Uses ecological perspective to discuss the basic needs of young homeless or transient children and how early-childhood practitioners can meet their immediate and long-term needs. Presents suggestions for supporting homeless/transient children in the classroom. Discusses how empowering teachers can create more positive attitudes toward, and…

The focus of this book is on enabling parents, teachers and other caregivers to develop home-school situations where children and adults can learn and grow in positive ways. Chapter One includes a discussion of how parents and teachers learn from each other. In addition, the physical, social, emotional and intellectual development of children are…

Presents a framework for initiating multicultural learning during early childhood through active family involvement. This framework includes the rationale for multicultural education, opportunities for multicultural learning, sensitive issues, specific educational strategies, and resources. Each aspect of the framework is examined in relation to…

In the hope of extending school learning experiences into the home environment, this paper proposes that parents and teachers should combine their efforts to develop home learning kits. It was suggested that personal identity, community identity, cooperative living, and survival skills kits might all be worthwhile and necessary means by which to…

This report provides the 1994 follow-up evaluation of the Early Childhood Parent/Education Family Literacy Project in South Carolina, first evaluated in 1993. The objective of the evaluation was a comprehensive review and analysis of program components and elements as designed and implemented by 12 pilot projects. Highlights from the 1993…

Describes On Board Early, a Baltimore program designed to increase family-school experiences that support children's success. Discusses such program features as specialized family involvement staff, a parents-as-teachers program, a family-centered approach to supporting the transition to school, and planning for long-term family involvement.…

The involvement of 61 at-risk parents in a teacher-parent partnership project which was implemented among families of kindergarteners and first graders in three poor, rural school districts in South Carolina was assessed. Core questions were: (1) What are the parents' participation levels and patterns of home and school learning? (2) What is the…

This publication discusses issues of parent-teacher partnerships that affect children's development. An introductory chapter suggests that the central figures in fostering the development of a child's potential are the significant adults in the child's world. Chapter 2 considers family relationships as prototypes for later partnerships, and lists…

This paper discusses the development of an action-centered, experience-based graduate course on homelessness for teachers and administrators, based on the premise that educators must have accurate and sensitive perceptions of homeless students and their families in order not to stereotype such individuals. A collaborative initiative was formed…

This document presents a descriptive study of the Home Visit Program, which is part of Project Focus. The project was designed to support healthy family development by offering a broad range of services to families of children from birth to 5 years of age in two school districts. Emphasis was placed on preventive services for families in high-risk…

This book provides early childhood educators with perspectives and tools that will enable them to strengthen parents and families during the child's earliest year of development. The 25 chapters are divided into 6 parts or themes. Part one focuses on understanding families as learners from an ecological and empathetic perspective, with the premise…