Describes barriers to effective communications in parent-teacher conferences and the process of preparing for a conference. Emphasizes the need to set a positive tone for effective parent-teacher conferences. (DR)

Preschool teachers can assist parents as their special needs children make the transition from the home or other services into public preschool programs. Respecting parent concerns, providing for individualized parent involvement, normalizing the classroom environment, and allowing time for adjustment are some ways that teachers can help. (JDD)

Offers guidelines to help child-care practitioners identify and address child abuse, even in their own practice. Contains checklists, charts, illustrations, and background information needed to detect neglect and physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. Includes questions to help practitioners examine their own actions as potential emotional abuse.…

Suggests that child-care practices should also be suited for the developmental level of child-care practitioners. Offers charts and checklists to help practitioners identify their developmental stage. Lists life characteristics and key concerns of age groups ranging from 17 to over 55 years. (JW)

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…

An 11-week kindergarten observation determined students' concerns about dismissal routines and devised alternatives. Children's concerns focused on the school bus, restroom, materials (homework and missing personal items), and saying good-bye. An alternative routine includes nurturing children's independence; refining the curriculum, adjusting…

Discusses the benefits of using a preemployment test to help screen job candidates for those qualities that lead to cost-effective long-term employment. Gives an example of how to determine the cost of staff turnover at any child-care facility. (ET)

Describes the interactions among 4-year olds engaged in outdoor play at a preschool, where overnight rains filled the center's sand area and students improvised activities in the wet sand. Notes how, during the discovery exercise, students worked together as teams. Concludes that the measure of quality in early childhood programs must not be…

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)…

Provided a structural selection method is carried out, it is possible to find quality early childhood personnel. The hiring process involves five definite steps, each of which establishes a base for the next. A needs assessment formulating basic minimal qualifications is the first step. The second step involves review of current job descriptions…

This module for Child Development Associate (CDA) trainees offers guidelines for structuring preschool center programs through the use of lesson planning and center scheduling. Objectives are stipulated, activities for achieving each objective are suggested, and an assessment checklist is provided. A study guide emphasizes that (1) characteristics…

Preschool and kindergarten teachers set the stage for a child to learn to read with some critical early skills. First, second, and third grade teachers then take up the task of building the skills that children will use every day for the rest of their lives. Parents can help by understanding what teachers are teaching and by asking questions about…

Based on the view that the quality of adult-child interaction is crucial to children's development and learning in early childhood settings, this guide complements and expands upon the Scottish Office Curriculum Framework for young children and illustrates key aspects of children's learning and development. The guide is designed to be used for…

This staff development guide with accompanying videotape is designed to assist early years staff using "A Curriculum Framework for Children 3 to 5" in Scotland to assess children's progress. The program is comprised of activities to stimulate discussion among colleagues, affirm existing good practice, give time for reflection, and…