Ever wonder what draws teachers to the field of early childhood education? Do you have the personal attributes needed? Unlike knowledge or skills, which can be developed, dispositions are personal characteristics involving the socioemotional and spiritual realms, rooted in feelings and beliefs. Colker reviews the literature on teacher…

Working with families is one of the most important aspects of being an early childhood professional, yet it is an area in which many educators have received little preparation (Nieto 2004). Teachers spend hours learning about child development, developmentally appropriate practices, health and safety, playgrounds, and play. At times it seems that…

Reviews two orientations, skill orientation and ideational orientation, of teaching practices in beginning reading. Describes in detail child behaviors linked with teaching tactics for each of these modes of instruction. (Author/SS)

Reviews research on gender-role development and discusses the finding that boys and girls are not as different from each other as believed to be. Discusses consequences of gender segregation and why children choose same-sex playmates. Suggests ways to encourage more positive interactions between boys and girls. (BAC)

Reviews the literature on effectiveness in early childhood teaching, focusing on the effective teacher's personal characteristics, values and beliefs, and behavior. Also considered are effects of sex, education, and experience; situational factors; and implications for teacher education and selection. (KS)

Examines implications of public interest in findings on brain development for building support for high-quality early childhood education. Discusses how children learn, neural plasticity, and the existence of critical periods. Provides recommendations for parents, caregivers, policymakers, and the public from the Families and Work Institute…

Examines young children's responses to and understanding of death. Discusses children's concepts of death; how their grief process differs from that of adults; stages of grief; factors affecting grief responses; acceptance of children's grief response; support for grieving children, especially funeral services and counseling; and preparing and…

A review of research on bilingualism in early childhood. (CM)

Reviews recent research offering guidance on how early childhood programs might strengthen ties with parents. Examines dimensions of parent and staff confidence in each other, and offers responsive strategies for engaging parents. Recommends provisions that would enable programs to work closely with parents. (KB)

Reviews new research into what young children know about emotions and how their knowledge may develop. Notes that the developmental timetable for the emergence of various emotion states and expressions is well documented and that teachers need to take into account individual and sociocultural differences in children's emotional behavior. (MDM)

Compares six publications circulated by the National Association for the Education of Young Children concerning their views on what constitutes good care for young children and how this care can be ensured. (HOD)

Reviews research on three major social and demographic trends affecting young children and their families: growth in poverty and the changing characteristics of poverty; shifts in social resource allocations; and growing perceived "costs" of childrearing. Discusses the implications these trends have for provisions of early childhood care and…

Discusses the problem of overweight and obese preschoolers, particularly those in an academic preschool situation, which traditionally allows children to function without specific objectives related to physical fitness. Offers recommendations for integrating a balanced fitness program. (Author/RWB)

Reviews research that has led to new ways of understanding mathematical development in young children. Covers research on information processing theory and cognitive science. (BB)