Millions of dollars are expended, in the USA and elsewhere, to provide paraprofessionals or "teaching assistants" for regular early childhood classrooms. However, little consistent information exists related to best practice in the use of paraprofessionals in these early childhood settings. This article describes a study employing the use of 159…

We assessed the impact of checklist-based training on teaching teams' use of the zone defense schedule. Three teaching teams (lead teacher plus 2 assistant teachers) in an inclusive early childhood program participated. A multiple baseline design across teams was used to determine whether accurate implementation of the zone defense schedule…

While early childhood education programs seek to provide the tools to work with children and explore content, many fail to address the social and emotional contexts in which early childhood education occurs. This is evident in the seldom addressed topic of collaboration between lead teachers and assistant teachers in the early childhood classroom.…

This report discusses the views of early childhood supervisory and instructional staff regarding staff development activities across seven early childhood education programs in Philadelphia. A comprehensive staff development questionnaire was completed by supervisory personnel, teachers, assistant teachers, and aides in the spring of 1979. Total…

Written for personnel in early childhood education who are planning training programs for nonprofessionals, the paper outlines a program for training instructional aides who will be actively involved in the teaching process, unlike volunteers or teacher aides. Some major problems and general guidelines for training and employing nonprofessionals…

In a Behavior Analysis classroom the first step is to define instructional objectives for academic or social skills. The second step is to determine how much the child already knows about what is to be taught. An Entry Behavior Inventory and diagnostic tests help teachers decide where each child needs to begin working in the sequence leading to…

This report discusses the views of early childhood supervisory and instructional staff regarding staff development activities across 11 Early Childhood Education Programs in Philadelphia. A comprehensive staff development questionnaire was completed by supervisory personnel, teachers, assistant teachers and aides in the Spring of 1978. Cumulative…

Detailed materials for the assessment of language use in a responsive environment are provided for teachers and teaching assistants. Part A consists of a manual and guide for language assessment. A brief account of the responsive model's approach to language instruction is given. Additional sections introduce and describe the observation and…

THIS CURRICULUM GUIDE WAS PREPARED TO HELP THOSE SETTING UP TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR TEACHERS' ASSISTANTS IN CHILD CARE AND GUIDANCE. IT PROVIDES FOR A TWO-YEAR PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES, WHICH MAY, OR MAY NOT, LEAD TO THE ASSOCIATE DEGREE. SUGGESTED ADJUSTMENTS IN COURSE CONTENT ARE INCLUDED FOR A ONE-YEAR PROGRAM. GRADUATES OF THE PROGRAM…