One of the poorest and most densely populated countries in the world, Bangladesh has faced many challenges during its almost 40-year history as an independent nation. Yet the country has recently made substantial progress in improving young children's survival and protection. It now provides health care, nutrition, immunization, and education…

The early childhood years (conception to age 8) are not only the most critical time for human growth but also for development and learning. Neurological and behavioral scientists document how inadequate stimulation and interactions can disrupt basic neural circuitry and cause long-term challenges for child's cognitive development. Yet, despite the…

Children have long enjoyed a special status in the family and the community in India, where traditional teaching techniques include song, dance, play, and storytelling. In India, play-oriented, child-centered approaches to teaching and learning, which are common in the United States, Canada, Europe, and elsewhere, are the exception to the norm…

In 1998 a group of American adoptive parents led by Jenny Bowen created Half the Sky Foundation (HTS) to provide nurturing care and education for children living in Chinese orphanages (known as children's welfare institutions). Jenny, a former screenwriter and film director, and her husband Richard wanted to ensure that the children still waiting…

In this article, the author presents a discussion regarding the sharing of decision making regarding curriculum in preschool. The preschool where she teaches is housed in a diverse, faith-based elementary school in the heart of Grand Rapids, Michigan, a midsize, midwestern city. It offers full-day, half-day, and two-and-a-half-hour preschool…

Describes an initiative of the National Association for the Education of Young Children with the goals of helping early childhood professionals prevent child abuse and neglect and promote healthy social and emotional development. Highlights findings from the Phase 1 research project confirming that most educators are willing to participate more…

Describes the work and organization of the Center, which focuses on strengthening the capacity of child care and Head Start programs to improve social and emotional outcomes for young children. Specifically examines two main activities: creation of a series of What Works Briefs and development of a set of comprehensive training modules. (SD)

Describes the transformation of women from babysitters to child care professionals as a result of becoming a family child care provider in the U.S. military Family Child Care (FCC) program. Discusses application process, orientation training, the use of peer mentors, initial setup, inspections, enrollment, caregiver training, and accreditation.…

Describes a child-oriented activities playroom at a family health center. Emphasizes the value of evaluating children's developmental status and progress by observing them at play in the center. (CM)

Hyson briefly describes a number of national fellowships sponsored by professional associations, foundations, and government agencies-some intended for early career professionals, others for mid-career professionals, and still others for graduate students.

Describes how one day care program for children and infants from low-income families developed, implemented, and evaluated a curriculum approach to facilitate children's social development and to deal with the problem of aggressive peer interactions. (RH)

Describes how the Bantu, five-sixths of the South African population, operate 120 nursery schools for working mothers' children. Separate from white facilities, the schools emphasize personal hygiene, play and task activities, and knowledge of Bantu and white cultures. (DR)

A participatory science workshop--open house was designed for parents and preschool children to explore together. Organizing and setting up are detailed. (HS)

Defines the competency-based approach to teacher education and describes the development of an early childhood program at the University of Houston. (ED)

Indicates that it is possible for very young children to learn some basic concepts about nutrition which can affect their eating habits. To foster such learning, an appropriate curriculum for the children's age level must be planned and implemented. (Author/MP)