There are occasions in life when the competitive process is appropriate. But when people consider the relationships in their lives--with friends, family members, coworkers, and the larger community--they realize the value of cooperation. When adults give children the chance to cooperate, to work together toward a solution or a common goal like…

It is human nature to be resistant when someone tells a person no. Children are no exception. Nevertheless, when teachers are frustrated with children's behavior, they may resort to saying no. Often the child responds, "Why?" or resists. What teachers really seek are strategies to help children in preschool and the early primary grades learn how…

This article considers the story of 3-year-old Mia and her mother's request that teachers keep Mia away from messy projects. It offers an opportunity to apply the Code, with a special emphasis on its 2011 reaffirmation and update. This revision has sharpened the focus on the importance of nurturing two-way communication between teachers/caregivers…

Based on conversations with preschool children about their feelings, offers eight suggestions for teachers to help children share their concerns, and describes five ways of using information obtained from children to improve the services of the child care center. Includes an annotated bibliography. (BB)

Describes how child cooperation in an experimental nursery school contributed to the children's experience of learning and mutual, sustained concern that prevailed through frustration, fatigue, or disappointment. Discusses how children's intuition and inventive thought contributed to positive experiences. (KB)

One school system's efforts to improve the quality of its early childhood programs included making early childhood education the top priority; exposing principals to developmentally appropriate practices; creating early childhood collaboratives; training teachers; upgrading classrooms; establishing demonstration centers; providing support for…

Discusses the benefits of mixed-age grouping for children's social and cognitive development and reservations parents sometimes have about mixed-age groupings. Also discusses issues that teachers need to consider when implementing mixed-age groups: children's personal care routines; furnishings; children's language, motor, creative, and social…

Discusses how meaningful family involvement can enhance the efforts of early childhood teachers. Presents suggestions for creating inviting attitudes and environments. Identifies how schools and families benefit from family involvement. Describes ways to fund and staff family learning centers in schools. Asserts that parent outreach is the key to…

Documents the process of exploring the Reggio Emilia approach in Head Start classrooms in Iowa. Describes areas of exploration, including revising the classroom environments and daily schedules, using more documentation, instituting child-initiated projects, and collaborating on a deeper level with colleagues. Includes excerpts from children's…

Presents one teacher's experience with a student with minimal cerebral palsy in an open classroom from kindergarten to the third grade. Addresses questions that arose concerning ways to help a child with special needs in the classroom. (BB)

Discusses and illustrates the ways in which early childhood teachers can teach preschoolers about peace. Teachers can implement two simple rules: "Don't hurt anyone," and "Use words to settle problems." Explains how these rules would be implemented in particular preschool situations. (BB)

Identifies benefits of family involvement in the early childhood classroom for the child, parents, and teacher. Describes barriers to parent involvement: parent availability, parent and teacher awkwardness, schedule conflicts, and school resistance to full parent inclusion. Provides six principles for involving parents in their children's…

Examines the similarities between high-quality, fully implemented Montessori programs and other developmentally appropriate programs for young children. Focuses on the Montessori philosophy, human relations within the learning environment, the curriculum, areas of the Montessori classroom, relations between home and program, and the developmental…