Argues that, of the authoritarian, permissive, and authoritative styles of interaction with children, the latter nurtures the emergence of positive character traits in young children. Suggests listening, setting high and reasonable standards, explaining why, negotiating reasonable solutions, offering choices, and valuing ideas and opinions as…

Illustrates the ways in which a teacher served as an ally for abused preschool children. The teacher interacted with the children to make their views of the inner self constructive rather than destructive. Parenting classes were incorporated. (BB)

Reports results of a study of Ohio elementary school principals' perceptions of barriers to the establishment of preschool programs in the public school setting. Barriers most frequently cited were limitations of school facilities and lack of school district and federal financial support. (BG)

Examined how child, family, and community characteristics were associated with enrollment patterns of 212 children--ages 3 to 5 from low-income, single-parent families--in Head Start. Found that the employment status of the mother had little effect on enrollment and that black children were more likely to be enrolled than children from other…

Reviews a study of preschool children's movement responses to music in a natural learning setting. Describes ways in which the findings of the study can be used for the development of a music curriculum that provides a developmentally and individually appropriate program. (BB)

A total of 318 students in preschool, kindergarten and first grade used the Primary Grade Pupil Report to report on their teachers. Preschool students' reports on teachers were more negative than those of kindergarten and first grade students. Factor analysis identified different significant factors for the two groups. (Author/BB)

Examined the effect of child care attendance on young children's social development, in particular the real or perceived difference in behavior of young children coming from long-day care to attend sessions in kindergartens compared with children coming directly from home. Found no significant differences between the two groups. Offers…

Interviewed mothers of preschoolers with autism about their children's child care programs and factors that influenced program selection. Rated the importance of program features, knowledge of the care settings, and frequency of their involvement at school. Found mothers reported high involvement in activities, conferences, and classroom…

International early childhood research provides hard evidence of the value of preschool for disadvantaged children and for all children. Despite high cost-effectiveness and numerous educational and social benefits of preschool education, most North American governments have been resistant to paying for universal programs. (SAS)

Reports on data from national review of preschool service provision for deaf children and their families in the United Kingdom. Presents families' responses to early identification; information available after identification; perceptions of partnerships with professionals; and value of family-centered services for themselves, for their children,…

The effects of home-based programming for infants and young children with hearing impairments and their families were studied, with a focus on the SKI*HI program, which includes identification/screening, home visits, support services, parent advisors, and a program management system. The study analyzed data on 5,178 children (ages birth to 5) with…

This report describes the results of two studies of teacher expectations for 4-year-old children in private and public preschool programs. One study took place at a private day care center with 3 teachers who had no degrees in education and 48 children. The second study was conducted at 2 public elementary schools and involved 2 teachers with…

This paper reports on one aspect of a study examining activities, partners, and settings of 20 preschoolers ranging in age from 28 to 45 months. The children were drawn from two cultural communities (both white): in one community parents worked in professional occupations; in the second group, parents were in non-professional, working class…

A study examined whether a half-day or all-day kindergarten readiness program was the more beneficial in preparing students for kindergarten. A questionnaire was drawn up after research into this domain and submitted to 45 faculty members at a child development center. The findings were found to be somewhat evenly divided between the half-day and…

Designed to help parents make informed decisions about child care, preschool, and kindergarten placements, this book answers typical questions other parents ask about schooling decisions. Chapter 1 is a resource section based on current research and educational theory, and provides a brief summary of the best and most recent thought on early…