Maintains that early childhood educators can help the South's children increase their degree of literacy by demonstrating that literacy is a lifelong process; by supporting children's families in their literacy efforts; and by becoming an advocate for excellent early childhood education and care. (BB)

Describes the social role of cognitive growth throughout the lifetime. Includes mediation, self-regulation, metacognition, the zone of proximal development, and critical and creative thinking. Discusses resources, methodology, and goals of education in a democratic society. Emphasizes the value of independent, self-monitoring individuals who…

An interview with a mother and daughter living in an intentional community in New Hampshire explores how their choices about lifestyle have shaped them, how homeschooling worked for them, the role of other community adults in raising children, why the daughter left and later returned, and how community is more than proximity to other people. (TD)

A theory of childhood development posits an unseen pattern that contains the laws and principles determining the child's nature. An environment that provides attunement to this pattern allows the child profound spiritual awareness, within the limits of the developmental moment. Four stages of development are presented with their attributes,…

Educator and author Tom Armstrong talks about events that influenced his radical educational philosophy; the interconnectedness of spirituality, culture, and the inner learner in all of us; the difficulty of linking spirituality to education in light of the First Amendment; attention deficit disorders and the medicalization of education; and the…

Argues that, while teacher and school efforts are important, the conditions outside of schools hold the key to increasing academic achievement substantially. Family socialization practices in American and Asian families are reviewed; and children's early cognitive and social behaviors are linked to later school behavior, including academic…

The appeal of Bush's post-September 11 discourse lies in its similarities with the Puritan rhetoric of covenant renewal by which ministers brought second- and third-generation Puritans into the church. Through this epideictic discourse, Bush implored younger Americans to uphold the national covenant of their "elders," the World War II generation,…

Many of the institutions that have helped children deal with the challenge of growing up, such as small towns and extended families, are disappearing or changing, and as a consequence schools are faced with greater responsibilities. Educators must reexamine what they do to acknowledge and validate the home and family, and must extend the…

This pamphlet discusses the role of play in the development of young children and the importance of avoiding placing young children exclusively in programs with a strong academic orientation. Presented in a question-answer format, the pamphlet includes information regarding: (1) the importance of providing opportunities for young children to learn…

Developing positive self-images and self-discipline is a prerequisite for the effective education of African American children. The following factors have had a negative influence on their development: (1) chronic unemployment and underemployment; (2) the changing concept of childhood; (3) elitism; (4) low expectations; (5) lack of commitment to…

The normal, biologically adaptive development of attachment between the human infant under 3 years of age and mother/caregivers contrasts with the Anglo-Saxon cultural belief that babies should be accustomed to unpleasantness. Separation of hospitalized children from their mothers, as frequently done in the past, has resulted in psychological…

Firsthand classroom observations on the use of computers in instruction reveal some excellent uses of the computer, particularly with reading and writing instruction. Yet there are many schools in which most children are denied access to computers. The children most likely to be using computers are those who attend suburban or small city schools…

This collection of papers describes a way of viewing and caring for infants. Part I begins with practical suggestions for parents on such topics as loving, quality time, and day care centers. Part II explores Magda Gerber's work with Dr. Pikler, the Loczy Model of infant care, respecting infants, the Demonstration Infant Program, language…

Intended for those who want to encourage children to read, this book deals with children learning to read at different stages and explores four assumptions: reading is an important thing to do; reading is learned by reading; what beginning readers read makes all the difference to their view of reading; and to be successful, teaching and learning…

Some of the principal research advances of the 1970s related to pregnancy and newborn infants and consequent changes in obstetrical practice are summarized in this report. The process of infant-parent attachment (bonding), adolescent pregnancy, and the reproductive hazards of tobacco, alcohol, and poor nutrition have been investigated and, in…