This Child Development Associate (CDA) training module, the sixth in a series of 16, provides an introductory course in the development of motor skills in children. In the first two sections, the importance and characteristics of motor development are briefly discussed. Maturation factors and predictable patterns and stages in motor development…

This brief monograph, intended for preschool teachers and administrators, explains various aspects of the assessment and evaluation of children and early childhood education programs. The value of evaluation procedures for program development is noted. The different forms that research designs and tests can take are explained. It is emphasized…

This master's thesis examines the Montessori Method as it relates to social learning theory. Much of the subject matter grew out of an attempt to synthesize Montessori methodology and social learning principles in a Montessori school. Chapter I discusses the requirements of quality educational intervention and provides a historical overview of the…

This paper discusses preschool teacher competencies and personality traits but makes no attempt to establish a picture of an ideal teacher. Five personal qualities necessary for success with young children--good physical and mental health, fondness and respect for children, a sympathetic understanding of their capacities and ways of growing, an…

This report provides a summary of the proceedings and recommendations of the Council of Europe symposium on preschool education held in Venice, Italy in 1971. The report is divided into three major areas: (1) historical background information; (2) summaries of general lectures, especially dealing with the functions, aims, methods, and problems of…

A useful resource for teachers of young children, this guide covers aspects of children's development from infancy through 6 years; discusses the variety of learning environments in which children move and describes various classroom learning processes, objectives and strategies. Also included are options for parent involvement; an outline of…

The sample for the 1975 field test of the Barber Scales of Self-Regard for Preschool Children came from Episcopal schools distributed widely by geographical area. The instrumentation included, besides the self-regard scales, the Self-Concept and Motivation Inventory and the Minnesota Personality Profile II, plus a demographic questionnaire. The…

This study examined the provision of early childhood care and education (ECCE) in Trinidad and Tobago, focusing on the educational environment and demographic factors within ECCE. A representative national sample of 2,370 children, 175 teachers, and 883 parents from 79 public and private centers across the country completed questionnaires or…

This study examined whether teacher behaviors (such as teacher enthusiasm, level of lesson difficulty, teacher voice volume and inflection, teacher use of inquiries, and teacher use of positive feedback) were related to student academic engagement in an inner city day care center. Data were collected by videotaping 13 teachers and 94 ethnic…

The Early Childhood Longitudinal Study (ECLS) tracks children throughout the country as they move from kindergarten through fifth grade. As part of the ECLS planning process, the possibility was considered of assessing the program environments of Head Start children before they entered the ECLS kindergartens. A review was conducted of selected…

This report is based on a forum on the topic of universal access to prekindergarten programs, "Toward a New Education Framework: Expanding the Boundaries To Include UPK," held in December 2000 with 30 education leaders from Connecticut, New York, South Carolina, and Vermont. The goal of the forum was to provide an opportunity for school…

Explored the influences of teacher education on musical curriculum related to young children's responses to music. The findings showed that during a music activity, children attended to their teachers, that children's responses to music differed according to their age, and that teaching a music curriculum to early childhood caregivers does make a…

Discusses the narrative report, which is an alternative to the traditional report card for reporting children's development and progress to parents. Examples of entries in a narrative report are included. (BB)

Presents a list of techniques and principles for encouraging respect for individual differences in the nursery school. Guidelines for both speech and action are provided. (BB)

Presents excerpts of interviews of leading trendwatchers who have studied or participated in early childhood and prekindergarten efforts in public schools. Provides an excerpt from the National Child Care Association's position statement on publicly funded pre-k child care programs in public schools. (BB)