Explores possible explanations for the lack of agreement about professionalism in the field of early childhood education. Examines the pros and cons of professionalizing the field. Offers a new paradigm designed to avoid the pitfalls of traditional concepts of professionalism. (BB)

Discusses a concept of community schools that involves the partnership of business, community members, parents, and educators. These schools should offer a multiyear, comprehensive early childhood program that may include preschool and child care, nutrition and health services, parent education and involvement, and child-centered curricula. (SH)

Examines definitions of sexual abuse and primary prevention; considers the appropriateness and fairness of child abuse prevention programs in the light of child abuse theory and developmentally appropriate educational practices; and reviews the quality and effects of some programs. Suggests caregivers and educators consider greater parent and…

In response to extended-day child care schedules, this article offers suggestions for planning a variety of developmentally appropriate activities to maintain the preschool child's interest and energy. Suggestions are provided for scheduling, enlisting parent and volunteer participation, increasing awareness of current events, and for end-of-day…

Discusses the importance of the Reggio Emilia approach in relation to cultural and professional attitudes. Claims that the preschools of Reggio Emilia have evolved to their current preeminence because those involved in Italy have set themselves the task of overcoming the impediments to dialog. Encourages the development of communities of inquiry…

Notes that mental health is important to children as well as early childhood educators. Suggests the use of child psychoanalysts as demonstrated by the Houston-Galveston Psychoanalytic Institute. Describes the implementation of such programs to assist directors and teachers. Provides a list of American Psychoanalytic Association affiliate…

Explores the second-language learning process from the point of view of what early childhood educators need to know to understand and help young second-language-learners. Discusses types of programs for preschoolers whose home language is not English and the developmental sequence of second-language acquisition. Considers issues of supporting…

Describes a program in Colombia to enhance learning of lower class children by emphasizing acceptance, risk taking, and problem solving in a supportive environment. Parental involvement is stressed. The back-to-the-basics movement is discussed as an educational strategy antithetical to the author's philosophy. (DB)

Provides suggestions to help early childhood teachers work more effectively with teenage parents and become significant adults in teenage parents' lives. Suggestions include fostering positive identification and addressing individual teenager needs. Presents Erikson's stages of psychosocial development as a basis for recommendations to develop…

Examines experiences of a 5- and 7-year-old entering a U.S. early childhood program in context of child development theory, constructivist philosophy, and the Japanese social teaching model. Urges educators to consider alternatives to "tourist approach" in multicultural education and ways to translate individual differences into learning…

Examines the roots of drug/substance abuse and the long-term positive social consequences of good programs for young children, as well as the components of a model drug abuse prevention program that easily can be incorporated into any Head Start, child care, or other early childhood program. (BB)

Describes the experience of a conservative, suburban school system making the change from traditional classroom instruction to more developmentally appropriate practices. Discusses the planning and implementation process, focusing particularly on the issues of skills acquisition, assessment, staff development, and parent involvement. (TJQ)

Compensation of early childhood professionals is not on an equal basis with that of other teachers or other professionals with similar training and experience. Six guidelines that can be used for making decisions about the provision of compensation to early childhood professionals are offered. (DG)

Discusses how the early childhood classroom can provide a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment for children faced with the adverse conditions associated with homelessness. Offers suggestions on seven aspects of a classroom program that require special emphasis: routines, materials and activities, adult-child groupings, space, comings and…

Maintains that the Italian concept of "l'inserimento" suggests a different way of thinking about children's entry to out-of-home care and challenges American practitioners to rethink current interpretations of quality care, teachers' professional responsibilities, and the role of child-development theory. Concludes that cultural…