Many young children have a natural attraction to and curiosity about animals. They like to observe, touch, talk to, and ask questions about them. Teachers and parents both can use this broad interest to facilitate children's development and learning in a variety of domains. Research shows that children across ages find emotional comfort in their…

Healthy child development relies on physical activity. New curriculum models are effectively integrating physical activity in education programs. The authors describe three such models: S.M.A.R.T. (Stimulating Maturity through Accelerated Readiness Training); Kids in Action, incorporating cardiovascular endurance, muscle strength and endurance,…

Discusses how one's conception of intelligence and its development profoundly affects the formulation of educational objectives. A mechanistic conception of intelligence leads to the definition of objectives as a collection of fragmented "cognitive skills", while a Piagetian conception attempts to develop children's intelligence as an…

Presents an interactive model of child development associate (CDA) training. The article discusses a self-evaluation interview, training modules, field advisor meetings, discussion groups, and observation and feedback groups. CDA competencies and related functional areas are presented. (Author/DB)

Discusses key features of a conceptual framework for early childhood professional development that is designed to achieve the advantages of professionalization, minimize the potential negative effects of professionalization, and result in higher quality early childhood programs for all young children and their families. (MDM)

In this article, the author reviews the research on young children's emerging writing and presents a comprehensive synthesis of this research on emergent writing. She discusses children's early writing knowledge; writing skills development; the social process of learning to write; teacher support; and a supportive environment. She also lists six…

A simulation design to help undergraduates link theory with practice as they explore curriculum models in depth, then incorporate components from each in developing their own model. (MS)

Four different sets of early childhood curriculum materials, selected for their emphasis on affective development, are examined for their structural characteristics, specified learning outcomes, theoretical bases, and degree of consistency. (CS)

Introduces a statewide child care resource-and-referral network that links programs together at the state level while linking parents and providers at the local level as a model for meeting child care needs in rural areas. Suggests that the collaboration and creativity of rural community members and state-level leaders can ensure the best services…

Discusses the factors leading to quality improvements in military child care. Presents reasons why military child care system has been more effective than the civilian system in promoting quality. Describes the specific policies that have supported the high rate of accreditation among military child development centers. Asserts that the Military…

Describes an approach used in Ramsey County, Minnesota to improve quality of family day care. (CM)

Describes the impact of the Parent Education Model upon school, community, and parents as indicated by ten communities in nine different states. (MP)

Presents a six-phase model of the interdependent relationship between cooperating teachers and their student teachers in early childhood settings: (1) anticipation/excitement for cooperating teachers and anxiety/euphoria for student teachers; (2) confusion/clarity for both; (3) onstage/backstage and competence/inadequacy; (4) letting go/hanging on…

Examines experiences of a 5- and 7-year-old entering a U.S. early childhood program in context of child development theory, constructivist philosophy, and the Japanese social teaching model. Urges educators to consider alternatives to "tourist approach" in multicultural education and ways to translate individual differences into learning…

Proposes a four-phase model to promote ethical literacy among preservice and practicing early childhood teachers: awareness, differentiation, analysis of ethical dilemmas, and application of the NAEYC Code in daily practice. Includes a sample case for ethics discussion. Each phase includes a rationale, common myths about professional ethics, and…