Based on the belief that teaching involves a lifelong cyclical process of study, practice, and reflection, this handbook details the staff development opportunities for prekindergarten personnel in Dade County, Florida for 1997-98. Procedures, workshops, explanatory descriptions, and scheduling information for staff development are presented in…

Discusses the purpose and process of providing feedback, peer versus supervisor reviews, and the content and format of feedback, including verbal comments, checklists, and written summaries. Tips on the use of observation protocols for feedback are included. (DR)

Discusses ways in which teachers can maintain daily communication with busy or uncommunicative parents. Techniques include providing observations to parents about their child's behavior, talking to parents on a weekly basis, communicating about the child's progress every semester, and sending notes accompanied by a photograph of the child. (RJC)

Includes the following training materials: "Of Culture and a Sense of Place" (Jim Greenman); "Getting to Know Us: Building Classroom Culture through Our Diversity and History" (Diane E. Levin); "Building a Sense of Community: A Broader View" (Paula Jorde Bloom); "What Is My Culture?" (Susan Lyon); and…

Highlights collaborative practices from fields of family therapy and educational psychology to facilitate conferences on children's behavior problems between parents and child caregivers and teachers. Illustrates stages of collaborative conversations: establishing trust; inviting parents to collaborate; discovering and stating mutual goals;…

Part of a series of materials for Child Development Associate (CDA) trainees, this manual focuses on nutrition. When trainees successfully complete this curriculum, they are considered able to meet a number of objectives concerning nutrition. These objectives include abilities to (1) plan balanced meals for preschool children; (2) provide children…

Examines the debate over what early care and education personnel need to know and how to go about getting that information. Lists and categorizes professional development activities as formal/informal information gathering; information sharing; self-assessment; experimentation; and organization. Emphasizes professional development as a dynamic,…

Presents principles and strategies for child care coaching and mentoring systems, including: (1) think in terms of a learning and empowerment process; (2) treat staff as you would have them treat children; (3) provide training for different needs and interests; (5) emphasize dispositions as much as skills and knowledge; and (6) build a community…

Notes that progressive theory of character development, based on moral values as variable and dependent on social context, dominates field of early childhood education. Suggests that this constructivist approach may require more of children than they can provide. States that both progressive and traditional theories have their place; presents…

Discusses how early childhood directors can effectively communicate their values and expectations to teachers and parents. Describes strategies for centering discussion with teachers on the value of childhood, including reclaiming the concept of indicators and setting expectations for joy in learning. Strategies for communicating with parents…

The observation manual provides a system for the naturalistic observation of interactions between the preschool child and the caregiver. It can be used in research with the preschool aged child and the parent or teacher in home, laboratory, or school settings. The behavior categories included are applicable for collecting frequency data or…

The aim of this booklet is to provide answers to the most frequently asked questions about the Child Development Associate (CDA) credentialing program. These questions are (1) What is the CDA program? (2) Who are CDAs? (3) Why is the CDA program important? and, (5) What is the future of the CDA program? In addition to answers to such questions,…

This document provides units to assist teachers and parents in evaluating kindergarten and preschool curricula. Preparing an evaluation and planning an evaluation are covered in units I and II. Two other units have been written as resource documents and present data-gathering methods and ways of reporting and using information. The authors stress…

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…

Based on the view that the quality of children's early experiences depends largely on the knowledge, experience, and skills of the people who work with them, this guide for early childhood practitioners in Vermont is designed to help them prepare and carry out a personally tailored professional development plan. The guide is presented in four…