Annotates recent international documents and journal articles from the ERIC database. Document topics include racial equality, and balancing early childhood education and work. Journal article topics include foster care in Iraqi Kurdistan; child care in Sweden; teacher-child interaction in Australian centers; teacher education in Brazil, Iceland,…

Research on the effectiveness of early intervention with handicapped children is reviewed in this information digest. Presented in question and answer format, the digest addresses the following questions: What is early intervention? Why intervene early? Is early intervention really effective? Is early intervention cost effective? Are there…

Examples are provided in this discussion to indicate the nature of professional judgment in a teaching situation likely to be encountered by most child care workers or preschool teachers. Specifically, this predicament involves a problem in turn taking among 4-year-olds. As used here, the term "professional judgment" refers to cognitive…

This Digest points out characteristics of quality computer software for children, describes different kinds of software, and suggests ways to get software for preview. The need to consider the purpose for which the software is to be used and the degree to which the software meets its stated goals is noted. Desirable software characteristics and…

This ERIC Digest briefly reviews studies of maternal employment, child care settings, and links between children's development and family and child care influences. Studies of maternal employment suggest that infants' positive relationships with caregivers may compensate for insecure attachments with mothers. If future research supports this…

The document includes three papers presented at a roundtable discussion of issues concerning The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) and the field of special education. Following an introduction by K. Wyatt, a paper titled "Categorizing Children and Funds" by M. Reynolds addresses the problems associated with categorizing exceptional…

Changing ideas about the role of early education increasingly point toward universal preschool education for all children. Early education has come to serve many purposes but, as it expands, there is danger that the particular needs of young children will be overlooked by both professionals and parents. This essay underlines the vulnerability of…

This digest examines prekindergarten teacher licensure, which enables states to ensure a level of specialized knowledge and experience among early childhood professionals. A recent movement toward specialization has led to more states offering early childhood education licenses (which is beneficial since the best predictor of appropriate teacher…

Presents abstracts of 10 documents and 11 journal articles representing recent research related to early childhood education, policy and educational provision in Canada, Italy, Latin America, Caribbean, Great Britain, Japan, Africa, Sweden, El Salvador, and Australia. Topics include child labor and basic education, culture and curriculum, social…

The nine chapters in Volume V address issues of concern to those who work with or conduct research with young children and those who plan programs or prepare others for teaching or caregiving. Included are "Recent Research on Play: The Teacher's Perspective," by Millie Almy, Patricia Monighan, Barbara Scales, and Judith Van Hoorn;…

Summarizes ERIC documents on grandparents, the Situation Approach in Asia, and educating young children in a diverse society. Summarizes nine journal articles on child care, parenting, education, kindergarten and nursery schools, hearing-impaired children, and social policy in China, Australia, and various countries in Europe, Latin America, and…

The ERIC/EECE Digests in this compilation focus on different aspects of the education and care of children from birth through 12 years of age. The four digests produced in 1989 concern the escalating kindergarten curriculum, involvement of parents in the education of their children, mixed-age groups in early childhood education, and praise in the…

This document provides preschool teachers with activities intended to help children better understand the world around them. The introductory section of this book includes papers focusing on the cognitive development of the preschooler, encouraging the integration of science into the early childhood curriculum, promoting multisensory science…

In six brief chapters, mixed-age grouping of young children in schools and child care centers is explored and advocated. Chapter 1 defines mixed-age grouping, examines limitations of single-age grouping, and points out positive characteristics of mixed-age classes. Chapter 2 discusses social development as seen in children's interactions in…

This booklet reviews the literature and considers applications of Public Law 99-457 (Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments--1986) in developing programs for young children with behavior disorders. The following topics are considered: provisions of the law (states are required to provide a free, appropriate public education to all eligible…