In this article, Jennifer Jones describes how at Pine Street School in New York City, they have dispensed with the traditional industrial model of schooling and are looking ahead to the future. The entire school was designed with optional learning environments. Jones describes innovative elements from varied seating (floor cushions, modular…

When parents get together, the subject of appropriately addressing the behavior of their children often comes to the forefront of conversations. Parents share various challenges they face with their children, including issues associated with listening, eating vegetables, doing chores, and a host of other discipline-related situations. The plethora…

Describes the aesthetic environments of children's care settings in China, Hong Kong and Japan. (BR)

Describes how teachers can better understand adopted, language-minority students. Notes the importance of avoiding a classroom climate that classifies people into neat categories, avoiding stereotyping, learning about the student's birth country, and remembering that the meaning of a situation may vary by culture. Discusses special needs of young…

Offers suggestions to teachers confronted with preschoolers who have had minimal exposure to other cultures outside their home and know little or no English, based on findings from the 1982 Sexsmith ESL Demonstration Preschool Project in Vancouver, British Columbia. (HOD)

Describes the daily program of a highly successful Japanese preschool based on the Suzuki educational philosophy which emphasizes repetition and structure in teaching. Explores possibility of using program in other educational settings, particularly in the West, because of high cognitive gains by children. (DST)

Argues that schools should reflect the perspective that diversity, rather than being a problem, is an opportunity for every American to experience other peoples and cultures. Teachers should acknowledge diversity by showing respect for students' names, languages, and cultures in their classroom, curriculum, and teaching style. (MDM)

Examines the role of cultural background on children's education opportunities. Suggests that today's diverse, heterogeneous societies demand culturally responsive education practices and programs that can actively engage young learners and help them build upon their own sense of identity. Calls for the development of early childhood education…