A growing body of research is emerging that investigates the teacher knowledge base essential for supporting reading and writing development at the elementary school level. However, even though increasing recognition is given to the pivotal role that preschool teachers play in cultivating children's early literacy development, considerably fewer…

This report was produced for the 2012 Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers meeting in Mauritius. Its main purpose is to track the historical progress and likelihood of attainment of Education For All and education-specific Millennium Development Goals while also critically reviewing the methods used to track this progress. The analyses…

Contemporary scientific cognizance on the development of children and the possibilities of their education has altered the image of the child to such an extent that the majority of scholars speak of a New Paradigm. This paradigm defines the child as a unique, singular, complete and complex being who realizes his personality through…

In this paper we will show some of the results of research which took place in the Principality of Asturias (Spain). Its purpose was finding out the gender discourses used by nursery teachers. Although we will not provide an exhaustive list of all the conclusions reached so far, we will put forward one of the aspects which has been developed…

Play therapy and filial therapy show promise as effective ways to provide direct services to Head Start, addressing the needs of the children, the families, and the Head Start teachers and staff. Examines the utility of play and filial therapies for the Head Start population, presents a systemic explanation for the benefit of filial therapy, and…

This article reviews an emergent area of traumatic brain injury (TBI) literature; namely, developmental outcomes of TBI sustained during the early childhood and preschool period. The developmental time period from birth through age 5 years is one of significant growth and maturity, particularly in the neurological development of the child. An…

In this important new book, Sharon Lynn Kagan and her colleagues focus on the nearly 5 million individuals who have the responsibility of caring for and educating nearly two thirds of the American children under age 5 who spend time in nonparental care. Providing the most thorough synthesis of current research on the early care and education…

Research on staff development suggests that teachers are more likely to benefit from training if they are able to learn on their own. This paper examines staff development for early childhood professionals, focusing on the need for an individualized approach and applying the findings to preschool education in Singapore. The paper considers the…

Reviews current literature on mentor-program development and provides guidelines based on an Arkansas early-childhood-educator mentor program. Highlights areas of concern, including mentoring definition; effect of mentoring on mentor; communication and listening skills; characteristics and attitude of effective mentors; aiding mentors to insulate…

Several large-scale research efforts imply that improving instructional quality rather than assessing student readiness is a better way to promote student performance in the early grades. (Contains 12 references.) (Author/MLF)

Examined Korean early-childhood teachers' knowledge and understanding of Froebel's educational ideas. Found that teachers' current knowledge and understanding of Froebel's educational ideas is weak, although teachers show enthusiasm for learning about them. An overview of Korean early-childhood education and teacher-training programs showed…

Reviews research on social integration of special needs children into regular preschool programs. Techniques used to facilitate integration are reassessed. Suggestions for teacher promotion of social integration are provided. (RJC)

Survey results of the kindergarten social studies curriculum in two Midwestern states (Iowa and Kentucky) are presented. Results of the study show that teachers select topics which relate most closely to affective concerns and that technical skills are not highly valued or emphasized. (DH)

Throughout the United States, kindergartens receive children with increasingly diverse levels of skills. In order to provide a learning atmosphere that is supportive of all children, prekindergarten teachers must be equipped to adapt to each child's needs. This paper reviews the research on pre-kindergarten teacher quality. The purpose of the…

Explores preschool teachers' ratings of both the perceived importance of and their comfort levels implementing interventions for children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Participants included 138 teachers from licensed child care facilities. Teachers concluded the majority of interventions were mostly important and believed they…