Children are capable of handling the subject of death but the preschooler has more difficulty than others, and requires more time to resolve a loss. A teacher can help by responding in a supportive way. The teacher's difficulty is that a death almost always comes as a surprise which means that the teacher must work through the crisis for herself…

Whether a center director or teacher aide, child care professionals share in the leadership process every day. This guide draws on the author's more than 23 years of experiences to help early childhood teachers at all levels make the most of their roles as leaders in the lives of children, families, and fellow educators. The guide combines…

Discusses issues of domestic violence to help child caregivers care for children more effectively. Considers the causes of domestic violence and its impact on children and families, and offers resources for more information as well as suggestions for helping an abused person get help. Includes lists of "Do's and don'ts for breaking the silence"…

This Early Childhood Curriculum Manual, one of four manuals based on approaches developed in the research and demonstration program, "Celebration in Learning '76" (CIL), was designed for adults who work with young children and who wish to expand children's use of table toys in the classroom. The first chapter explores what is meant by…

In craft training, children are taught preschool skills as they create art projects with an adult. By creating toys, pictures, and other projects from readily available materials, children become involved in cooking, coloring, cutting, drawing, gluing, and beginning writing. The first rule of craft training is to let the child do the work of…

This Early Childhood Curriculum Manual, one of four manuals based on approaches developed in the "Celebration in Learning '76" program, provides guidelines for block play activity to adults who work with young children. The first chapter introduces unit blocks, explores some of the problems teachers commonly face in the block area,…

The third volume in the Transition Magician series, this book is designed to help early childhood professionals in supporting the parents of young children. The book provides activities for parents and young children for home and away from home to guide children through difficult transition times and to make the most of valuable opportunities for…

Presents ideas from three early childhood professionals regarding the practitioner's role when a parent denies their child's special needs. Includes suggestions for validating parents' feelings, using a screening tool to identify their child's level of development, referring parents to local agencies, maintaining extensive anecdotal records for…

This booklet provides basic, practical information to assist adults in helping young children to resolve their conflicts with each other. Following introductory information, the booklet discusses why conflict occurs between young children, focusing on children's ability to respect the rights of others, control expressions of anger, assert…

The purpose of this paper is to assist early childhood teachers in developing curriculum content by considering the philosophical issues that surround the curriculum decision-making process. Curriculum development is construed in terms of a multi-step decision-making process through which teachers progress. Steps of the process are: (1)…

Discusses the importance of communication between preschool providers and parents of children with disabilities who are transitioning from early intervention programs to preschool programs. Communication needs before, during, and after the transition are addressed. A sample questionnaire for families of new students and a communication schedule…

Provides information to prekindergarten educators to enable them to better meet the needs of parents whose children are making a transition to kindergarten. Emphasizes the need to understand assessment and screening procedures and to share that information with parents. Suggests how caregivers can provide emotional support to parents with children…

Designed for teachers and other adults who work with young children, this manual provides guidelines for designing creative house corner activities. The first chapter examines outcomes inherent in dramatic play. Chapter Two presents practical suggestions for arranging the area and selecting and displaying materials which will inspire dramatic…

Provides information on how teachers in the early childhood setting can encourage fathers to participate in their children's school experiences. Discusses models for fathers, the place of work in the traditional father role, and helping children with absent fathers. Suggests ways to teach positive parenting skills to fathers, including praising…

Noting that teachers of young children can help protect children from getting involved in violence, this booklet provides research and practice-based information on preventing violence in young children's lives. The booklet asserts that young children need to feel safe and loved, need to watch peace-loving people, need to be protected from…