This study investigated 100 Greek nursery school teachers' views on children's transition to nursery school and the difficulties children face during adjustment. Findings indicated that although 70 percent of teachers reported 1 to 4 "difficult" children, problems were attributed primarily to family and social environments. Findings…

Maintains that graduation exercises are developmentally inappropriate for young children. Discusses developmentally appropriate alternative end-of-the-year activities. (BB)

Presents a general discussion of the difficulties expected to be encountered, regardless of setting, when attempting to implement an early childhood literacy program in which a social interactional approach to instruction is used. The author provides a framework for understanding early childhood teachers' attitudes and beliefs that can lead to…

Explored the relationship between causal explanations or attributions that caregivers form regarding children's aggressive and rebellious behaviors in their classrooms and the caregivers' behavioral responses to the misbehaviors. Findings suggest that encouraging caregivers to reflect on why children misbehave could influence their responses to…

Describes Project Desert Shield, a curriculum that preschool children and teachers at a U.S. military base in Germany developed to embrace and constructively deal with the interests and concerns of the children about Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm through dramatic play. (Author/BB)

To compare the effectiveness of parents and teachers as instructors of a personal safety program, 61 low-income preschoolers participated in either a home-based, school-based, or control program. No significant differences were found between groups taught by teachers or parents. Both groups demonstrated greater knowledge of sexual abuse and…

Examines the impact of teacher consultation on the effectiveness of a pre-school social skills program, called Skillstreaming, that was introduced to two Head Start teachers and their students. Confirms that social skills can be taught to pre-school children within a natural environment, but only when teacher support is provided. Includes…

Describes how one teacher helped preschool children draw. Shows how she guided a 4-year-old to use stencils to draw fish independently, helped children use their knowledge of shapes to guide their drawing of animals, and guided children to draw what was important to them. Asserts that helping children to express their ideas independently in…

The present article examined 2 questions about the relation between kindergarten classroom processes (setting and quality) and children's engagement in activities, compliance with teachers' requests, and interactions with peers. First, how do children's engagement, compliance, and cooperation vary as a function of teachers' use of classroom…

This article focuses upon the role of the peripatetic pre-school teacher for children who have special educational needs. It explores the key issues involved in home-based teaching; the importance of developing meaningful partnerships with parents; early intervention; and the significance of play in promoting learning for young children. The…

Children's involvement in sports develops their diverse lifelong skills in the physical (a positive attitude toward healthy lifestyle), cognitive, emotional and social domains. Children enjoy a day out in the open, enjoying the free space, the wind in their hair, the smells that stimulate their senses, the touch of different and new things to be…

Two studies examined the effects of using a formal assessment instrument on preschool teachers' beliefs concerning the importance of various developmental skills and abilities. In Study 1, users of a formal assessment instrument rated skills and abilities assessed by the instrument as more important for preschoolers to develop than non-users. In…

This article explores conversations between preschool children and their teachers in the classroom environment. Teachers have an opportunity to engage students in cognitively challenging conversations at critical times during the day: book reading, playtime, and mealtimes. The article provides examples of the types of conversations preschool…

The Head Start Family and Child Experiences Survey (FACES) collects data on a nationally representative sample of Head Start programs, classrooms, teachers, parents, and children examining the quality and effects of Head Start. Three waves of data collection have occurred: in 1997, 2000, and 2003. Information presented in this publication is…

This paper presents findings of an evaluation of a 2-day training workshop, that was designed to enhance professionals' skills in working with three- and four-year old children in developmentally appropriate ways. The participants included 22 administrators, 72 teachers, and 25 teacher aides at 6 different training sites in a southern state. A…