Experiences in the natural world help children understand life cycles and seasons, make prediction and become aware of the interdependence between plants, animals, and elements like rain and sun. Early childhood is a critical time to support children's connections to the natural world because young children are naturally curious and there is so…

The year 2010 is the 238th anniversary of Friedrich Froebel's birth, yet his spirit and philosophy of teaching are alive in the hearts and minds of 14 Texas early childhood teachers. In 2006, teacher education students at the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW), San Antonio, were inspired by Froebel, the founder of early kindergartens. Wanting…

Education qualification requirements for early childhood teachers are increasing in many types of federal, state, and community-based early childhood programs. The 2007 reauthorization of Head Start requires all teachers to have associate degrees and 50 percent to have earned a baccalaureate degree in early childhood education by the year 2013. At…

The field of early childhood education is growing tremendously, with states designing and implementing prekindergarten programs and universal preschool throughout the country. This is good news for families of young children as well as for the field. With the resulting increased demand for teachers, however, come serious implications for teacher…

Community partnerships serving young children and families take many forms. This article presents six community partnerships that are engaged in innovative and creative approaches to learning. These programs have varied goals, but they share a common focus on linking community resources to enhance learning opportunities for the children and…