Excerpts from interviews are frequently used in this discussion of teachers' reactions to children with gay or lesbian parents and administrators' efforts to ensure that such children are accepted in their schools. Offers possible teacher responses to questions of children with gay or lesbian parents. (BB)

Discusses ways for caregivers to improve sensitivity to cultural and individual differences and increase communication across cultural barriers. Offers suggestions for managing and resolving conflicts related to caregiving practices. (LB)

Discusses how early childhood teachers can become more comfortable with young children's questions about sexual orientation and social conventions. Summarizes research findings about children's developing sexuality, and describes how teachers can respond when issues of children's developing sexuality arise in classrooms. Suggests appropriate ways…

Notes that while parental involvement in the classroom is beneficial, it can be difficult for teachers to maintain a balance between classroom needs and parent preferences. Briefly describes six successful activities for parental involvement and what is expected of parent volunteers for each activity. Outlines five other considerations for…

Presents readers' responses to an ethical dilemma "What Should a Teacher Do When a Parent Defines Academically Rigorous Education Differently Than She Does?" Notes that responses focused on defending practices rather than working with parents. Presents suggestions from a principal for a K-2 school, including developing an assessment…

Presents a teaching dilemma in which parents of a gifted child want a more teacher-directed, structured education for their child. Describes a fictional parent-teacher conference and raises questions about how the teacher, a believer in developmentally appropriate practice, should proceed, especially with regard to NAEYC's Code of Ethical Conduct.…

Presents 15 ways for teachers to make early childhood programs developmentally appropriate. (BB)

Reviews early education practices that respect families' effects on child development, acknowledges families as decision makers, and supports families' role in educating and caring for children. Discusses three principles for family-centered practice and describes continuing challenges and opportunities suggested in the research findings. Charts…

Draws on discussions with child care workers to discuss important changes involved in moving from teaching preschoolers to teaching infants and toddlers. Describes differences in (1) relating to children; (2) parent/teacher relationships; (3) group dynamics; (4) curriculum; (5) routines and transitions; (6) coworker relationships; (7) director…

Discusses ways in which early childhood teachers can educate parents about the necessity for developmentally appropriate education at the preschool and primary levels, despite widespread parental preferences for an inappropriate, structured academic curriculum. Teachers can explain the purposes of developmentally appropriate curriculum to parents,…

Describes early childhood teachers' responses to a hypothetical ethical dilemma that concerned a parent's possibly abusive behavior following a discussion of her child's behavior with the teacher. Discusses the use of the NAEYC code of ethics to resolve problems in everyday practice. (AA)

Discusses expanding the "evaluate solutions" step of problem-solving strategy to develop a guidance plan to solve children's troublesome behaviors. Parents and teacher determine the goals for the child, the child's relevant individual characteristics, the needs of the people involved, and the feelings of those involved as a guide to…

Analyzed parents' observations and perceptions of the transition process of their children into kindergarten. Found that even though most parents (two-thirds) reported satisfactory transitions, 47% of responses contained negative features, reflecting difficulties during transition. Parents found ongoing communication, agreed-upon performance…

Presents a National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Ethics Commission member's comments and suggestions about how early childhood educators can best make sound decisions about the ethical dilemma of the welfare of the child and the confidentiality of its divorced parents. (BB)

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…