Learning to be PROactive, as the title of this article suggests, means Pooling one's knowledge, Reflecting respect, and Opening oneself to action. It recognizes early childhood educators' promises to their field of practice, based on widely held beliefs and principles. Educators can apply professional ethics to everyday problem solving and their…

Explains the process whereby the Valley of the Sun Association for the Education of Young Children developed the Early Childhood Network in Phoenix, Arizona and describes the resulting successes with increased communication among members. (DT)

Suggests that while the National Association for the Education of Young Children has grown in size, sophistication, and complexity as well as in age, it is important for members to stay in touch with each other and the workings of the organization. Voicing concerns as a collective whole will increase effectiveness. (CB)

Discusses the reasons for the popularity of collaboration in early care and education. Defines the term "collaboration." Discusses results of a national study of early care and education collaborations in terms of the achievements of collaborations and the situations in which they work best. Also offers suggestions for making…

Discusses ways to improve home-school relations, stressing that both teacher and parent are interested in the child's welfare. Encourages frequent communication and conferences to discuss goals and problems. (DR)

Describes a team teaching relationship, and presents thoughts on how to foster a positive relationship when working as a team. (PCB)

Reviews multiple definitions and theories of leadership, and suggests that traditional leadership thinking, drawn mostly from the business world, may not be fully appropriate to early childhood. Underscores the importance of shared leadership in early childhood settings. Suggests that early childhood pedagogy and practice have much to contribute…

A new format for newsletters that makes effective school-parent communication possible with a reasonable amount of teacher effort is suggested. (CM)

Discusses guidelines (developed by the Oregon State University Early Childhood Sex Education Project) for developing teacher-parent cooperation in providing sex education to young children. The guidelines concern how to talk about body differences and body functions; how to deal with masturbation, sex play and obscene language; and how to involve…

Discusses the importance of educators' partnerships with colleagues, including the role of a shared sense of mission in the work environment. Considers the importance of providing highest quality services for children and their families and a healthy and supportive work environment for adults. Suggests that practitioners and parents need to…

The Martin Community School Cradle School Project served children in low-income families with the goals of involving parents early in their child's education and establishing communication. Challenges included establishing trust and increasing parent and school personnel awareness of demands on university research faculty. Outcomes included…

An account of one school's home-involvement program and its benefits. (BRT)

Ideas are presented here in the hope that teachers will create a parent-space in their schools or classrooms, adapting and modifying these suggestions to meet the needs of their particular group of parents. (Author/CB)

Author writes two letters: the first in her role as a parent and the other is her own reaction to it as a teacher. (CB)

Discusses how bulletin boards can include children's own work as well as items placed there by teachers and can serve as evidence of the real learning, including literacy learning, that children are doing. (BB)