"Emergent literacy" means that a young child's communication skills are in the emerging state. Clearly, the child's environment is supremely important in nurturing this emerging literacy (Morrow 1995). Children cannot become literate alone. They need the help of others to claim their own unique literacy. Although most parents recognize that they…

Presents guidelines for selecting materials for 6- to 8-year-olds in primary school settings involved in four categories of play: social and fantasy play; exploration and mastery play; music, art, and movement play; and gross motor play. Asserts that providing a variety of materials for children's independent activities pursued alone or with peers…

Outlines the reasons for a need to know more about water and swimming pool dangers with regards to young children and how to make these water areas more safe. (BB)

Discusses nature activities that teachers can use with young children to help develop the children's observation and processing skills. Teachers and students can examine weeds in the spring, observe and understand the role that insects play in nature, study the many colors and sizes of leaves in the fall, and find and analyze animal tracks in the…

Discusses the symptoms, characteristics, and treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a behavioral disorder found in 3%-5% of the childhood population, mainly among males. Because of ADHD's complexity, successful treatment involves a multidisciplinary approach that involves teachers, counselors, and health care professionals.…

Guided reading can change attitudes toward disabilities and exceptionalities. This article describes 10 children's books in which people with disabilities are portrayed in a respectful yet realistic manner: the first two inform about a disability; the remaining eight are examples of inclusionary literature in which a person with a disability is…

Defines child abuse and neglect, describing indicators of abuse in child and adult. Urges teachers of young children to report suspected abuse and to serve as an appropriate role model for parents. (KS)

Encourages the incorporation of nutrition education in the preschool by offering a conceptual framework, increasing awareness of current classroom practices, and providing suggestions for nutrition activities within major curriculum areas. (MP)

Outlines a series of six imperatives designed to provide educators and other child advocates with a backdrop against which they may implement strategies for serving handicapped young children. (MP)

Describes five basic understandings involved in rational counting: (1) groupings of same or different items may be counted; (2) there is a stable order of the counting numbers; (3) one-to-one correspondence; (4) it does not matter which item is counted first; and (5) the cardinal principle. Discusses the importance of rational counting ability and…

Describes the historic and current need for volunteers in Head Start programs. Focuses on volunteer recruitment, senior volunteers, volunteer assessment, matching volunteers and centers, staff-volunteer relationship, and volunteer supervision. Lists resources for involving and managing volunteers. (KB)

Describes common vision problems in young children such as myopia, strabismus, and amblyopia. Presents suggestions for helping children with vision problems in the early childhood classroom and in outdoor activities. Lists related resources and children's books. (KB)

Examines reasons children find superhero play so attractive and discusses how it relates to children's development. Also makes a case for allowing superhero play and suggests strategies to make such play a constructive experience for children. (KS)

Describes an approach designed to help explain war and the nuclear threat to young children, using a Dr. Seuss book as a springboard for discussion to help children expand their own concepts on the subject. (KS)

Discusses how field trips can build a community of experience in preschool settings. Focuses on what to consider when planning field trips, how to reduce field trip costs, adjustments to be made during the trip, and ways to bring the trip to the preschool setting. Suggests activities after the field trip, and destinations related to the arts,…