Chronicles and reflects on an attempt to implement the Reggio Emilia project approach in an all-day Head Start program. Uses the example of one child, "Jimmy," to discuss how the addition of small group time and project work to the program's curriculum taught children the value of relationships and collaboration. (EV)

Examines the nature of the relationship between educators and parents of children in public schools, focusing on minority families. Discusses the need for flexibility and adaptability, the value of informal assessment, effective joint parent-teacher problem solving, and family differences and support. Provides options for improving communication…

Urges the preschool teacher to assume the role of mental health counselor by working closely with parents. Suggests ways to deal with normal childrearing situations and with crises involving death, illness or surgery, and separation or divorce. Briefly discusses the nursery school's handling of children with psychological problems. (BRT)

Discusses implications of federal budget cuts on services to children and families, types of revenues which will be available, and organizational efforts to increase chances for securing public funds for child and family services. (Author/DB)

Describes the Vermont Autumn Showcase Tour for Early Care and Education as a strategy to reengage legislators and community leaders in early childhood education/care. Notes that regions that had previously hosted a community event focusing on early childhood issues had higher attendance than initial implementers, and that unexpected benefits…

Describes use of accreditation facilitation projects (AFP) begun in the 1990s to provide varying levels and types of support to early childhood programs engaged in the self-study process for accreditation with the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Presents insights about the early childhood program/AFP relationship related…

Discusses a blueprint for a comprehensive community-wide day care program. (BB)

Presents a procedure used at one cooperative preschool to orient parents and volunteer participants to a developmentally appropriate program. (BB)

The primary caregiving model provides for teachers to have primary daily responsibility for the same small group of toddlers or infants. The system allows for creation of strong bonds between teacher and child and provides parents with a trusted care partnership. Challenges to the system include large child-to- caregiver ratios, matching teachers…

Discusses how teachers of young children can help them and their families in learning about death and in dealing with bereavement. The emphasis is on openness of facts and feelings and aiding in mastery of unpleasant feelings. (BF)

Focuses on key policy issues surrounding the provisions of state-funded prekindergarten programs. Issues examined include program standards, stability, and continuity; program funding; coordination and continuity of educational services; program eligibility; and the relationship between prekindergarten programs and educational reform. (Author/BB)

Reports on research about single-father families and discusses implications for early childhood educators. Suggests that educators encourage the single-father, adapt to his schedule, cope with adult and child stress, provide parenting information, become aware of custody arrangements, and adjust the curriculum for all children. (AS)

This column, the last in a series of articles dealing with partnerships in educating young children, focuses on partnerships developed with communities. Examples of the importance of community partnerships--including provision of comprehensive services to meet student interests--welfare reform issues, and the need to be politically active are…

Uses a psychoanalytic approach to examine effective ways to articulate concerns to parents about their child's difficulties. Presents methods for developing trusting relationships, planning prior to the conference, conducting the parent-teacher conference and post-conference follow-up, and meeting teachers' concerns. Describes two situations in…

Reports on research which looked at how parents' and early childhood teachers' attitudes toward work and child care influenced their relationships with each other. (PCB)