In learning communities, the learning experience is a shared process as teachers and students work together through negotiation toward a common goal. This article identifies critical features of learning communities and presents highlights from community building experiences in a Hawaii kindergarten classroom. Shares insights gleaned from the…

Discusses child peer relationships in relation to teacher's role; object-conflict, sharing, and cooperation; causal, consequential, and alternative thinking; inferring and responding to emotions; perspective taking and empathy; and initiating friendship and group entry. Claims that children's discussion documents their growing understanding of…

Advocates use of documentation panels in early childhood classrooms to communicate with families regarding their children's activities and learning, and the teacher's educational philosophy. Discusses steps for constructing documentation panels and the types of information the panel can communicate. Asserts that documentation panels communicate…

While current literature identifies the characteristics of a successful professional development school (PDS)/university partnership, it is imperative for universities to consider the impact of clinical placements on the training and development of preservice teachers. What is missing from the literature are the views of the preservice teachers on…

A teacher of children with multiple handicaps and the mother of a child in the class describe changes made as they worked together to create a more open and child-centered classroom. (RH)

Fifteen recent documents and journal articles from the ERIC database concerning reporting to parents are summarized. The documents and articles cover topics which include student portfolios, theme-based curriculum, writing and math assessment, parent-teacher conferences, and a national survey of report card entries. (LB)

Details a partnership between the University of Michigan and a rural Head Start grantee to facilitate teacher dialogue and shared activities. Examines characteristics of effective school-university partnerships. Describes how a group of Head Start teachers became a community of learners through teacher visits, consultations, and presentations…

Discusses ways to develop family-school-community involvement, based on an early childhood teacher training course in family involvement. Discusses strategies for using Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs to facilitate family involvement interactions, and using student teachers' experiences for structuring reflective thought about family involvement…

Examines the rationale for expanding teachers' roles, using preschool education in the slums of Baroda, India, as an illustrative study, and its implications for teacher preparation in 21st-century United States. Considers the roles of child educator and advocate, family-life educator, environment educator, economic adviser, and health educator.…

Explains the causes and symptoms of four chronic diseases (asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, and sickle cell anemia) that afflict large numbers of children, and discusses specific classroom medical procedures that teachers can use to help children with these diseases. Also provides suggestions for working with parents of chronically ill children and…

Recounts a collaboration between an early childhood teacher educator and a kindergarten teacher in team-teaching an undergraduate early childhood education course. Discusses course activities initiated by the collaboration, including having the students keep journals of their learning experiences, a technique that allowed the instructors and…

Argues for a reexamination of goals and methods of traditional parent involvement which has revolved around the welfare of children rather than emphasizing the benefits for parents themselves. Calls for a reconceptualization of parent involvement based on: (1) being sensitive to family needs, (2) offering real support for families, and (3)…

Explores the approach taken by one Catholic District School Board in Hamilton, Ontario to build an inclusive community. Describes the history of special education in Canada, the development of an inclusive philosophy in the district, the support of administrators and educators, the use of various collaborative strategies such as school resource…

Discusses a project that examined literacy development within the context of play in two Reykjavik preschool classrooms. Suggests that preschool teachers should enrich dramatic play with literacy props and print materials. Indicates that incorporating print materials in dramatic play provides a natural extension of children's preschool work and…

This research review identifies parental roles and practices that have been shown to promote reading readiness, receptivity to reading instruction, and increased achievement in reading. Reviews studies of intervention and involvement programs designed to expand or alter parental practices in improving children's reading attitudes and achievement.…