Discusses results of a survey of kindergarten teachers on the question of early reading instruction in kindergarten classrooms in the state of Virginia. (CS)

Discusses the importance of professional preparation and training of early childhood educators and the role of the National Institute for Early Childhood Professional Development. Suggests that reflection, self-evaluation, and self-direction are critical to the process of professional development. Provides an instrument designed for…

Uses examples from preschool teachers' classroom experiences to present suggestions for improving portfolios as an assessment tool. Issues discussed include distinguishing work that shows a child's learning progress, types of portfolios, and collecting work with a particular purpose in various curricula. Argues that portfolios should be…

Describes components of high quality child care programs and the structural and social barriers to quality. Discusses how three early childhood practices have been detrimental to raising child care quality: voucher programs for child care, acceptance of license-exempt care, and the view that market economics will ultimately determine care quality.…

Author describes personnel, facilities, methods and materials viewed during a visit to a model kindergarten-day care center in Split. (SP)

The author, one of the pioneers in early childhood education, describes her early experiences. (SP)

Relates a preschool teacher's personal experiences and feelings about professional growth and development. Discusses the concept of professionalism, experiences illustrating the process of becoming a professional, negative aspects of professionalism, and the realization of professionalism. (TJQ)

Discusses the historical context for the evolution of the Child Development Associate (CDA). Describes the CDA's contributions to the early childhood profession, and discusses its impact on programs and individuals. Speculates about the future of CDA credentialing, including the need for professionalism and new specializations. Notes that the CDA…

This observational study suggests that many toddler friendships are occurring all the time, waiting to be discovered and fostered by astute teachers. Asserts that those working in toddler programs need to be sensitive to the potential for friendships in 2-year-olds and nurture these first fragile bonds. (EV)

Several years ago U.S educators realized that they were not encouraging young girls in math and science. Today girls are catching up, but another void in classrooms has appeared. Some children, especially high-energy boys, face increasingly inappropriate programs, which offer lots of seatwork and little movement. It is as if some teachers are…

A male preschool teacher describes his experiences and discusses the role of male teachers in early childhood education. (SB)

Offers practical recruitment and retention strategies for administrators, teacher educators, career counselors, middle and high school educators, and teachers of young children to recruit and retain men in early childhood and elementary education. Includes questions to help educators review their own beliefs and assumptions about male teachers.…

Discusses how early childhood teachers establish and maintain supportive relationships with children, and how different interaction contexts (transitions, playtimes, mealtimes, group activities, and peer interactions) yield unique information about students. Shows how a teacher's ability to gather such information and transfer insights to…

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)

Describes common vision problems in young children such as myopia, strabismus, and amblyopia. Presents suggestions for helping children with vision problems in the early childhood classroom and in outdoor activities. Lists related resources and children's books. (KB)