Erickson and Thompson articulate and defend reasonableness as an important civic educational aim for early childhood education. In this response, I argue that further clarity regarding the nature and scope of "reasonableness" as an educational concept or idea is needed. Is such a concept fundamentally political, or does it capture a…

In this forum paper, I respond to issues raised by Kristina Andersson and Annica Gullberg in their article titled "What is science in preschool and what do teachers have to know to empower children?" (2012). I seek to continue the discussion begun with Andersson and Gullberg's paper, by further exploring the questions they introduce…

At a time when the relationship between early childhood and compulsory school education is high on the policy agenda, this article questions the dominant, often taken-for-granted, relationship--school readiness; and offers two alternatives, a strong and equal partnership and the vision of a meeting place. Both are potentially transformative,…

It's fairly well known that high-quality preschool programs can have life-altering impacts on disadvantaged children, including reductions in school dropout and crime, and increased earnings. Not as well known is that terrific preschool programs have important academic and social benefits for middle-class children too. Decades of research indicate…

In this article, the author relates that similar to the time he bought his new computer, he had the opportunity to experience poor customer service when he and his wife signed their child up for a preschool program. They learned that the staff at the preschool didn't want parents looking over their shoulders and questioning their techniques. He…

This article contains results from a study based on locally produced planning and evaluation texts from 10 preschool settings in a Swedish middle-sized town. The texts were mainly from 1999 to 2005, a period during which Swedish preschools were implementing their first curriculum and were subject to several changes including decentralisation,…

More than ever before, Californians recognize that preschool provides young children with a strong start in school and life. Research confirms that effective preschool not only prepares children for kindergarten, but benefits them in the long-term. Despite the benefits, only 48% of 3- and 4-year-old children attend preschool in California. While…

Presented are a strategy for recording observations of preschool children, documentation of the strategy in use in a nursery school, and thoughts on the importance of observing for curriculum planning, teacher-parent conferences, and professionalism. The system of documentation includes a daily attendance record, written observations on children's…

Discusses a model of inservice teacher education based on active participation of the teachers involved and their commitment to it; it depends upon a voluntary partnership with college and research staff and with teaching colleagues. (JOW)

Highlights some of the activities involved in the celebration of Head Start's twenty-fifth anniversary. (BB)

Examines the essential characteristics of teachers of young children: good physical health, kindness, courage, integrity, self-awareness, a theoretical framework in which to see children, the equivalent of a college graduate's general knowledge, warm respect for and courtesy to children, trust in children, discretion, intuition, professional…

Discusses developmental stages of teachers' careers and corresponding concerns, focusing on consolidation and renewal. Suggests goals relative to the consolidation and renewal stages and notes the importance of developmentally sensitive supervision, including observation, feedback, collaborative strategies, and reflective journals. Recommends that…

Recounts the thoughts and experiences of one university professor returning to teach a class of 3-year-olds. Notes the differences between middle-aged and younger teachers, the importance of college-level educators revisiting "real" classrooms to connect theory with practice, the difficulty of balancing college and preschool teaching,…

In Hong Kong, preschool education has been viewed either as preparation for primary education or as custodial care to suit working mothers. These ambiguous images of preschool teachers and teaching are definitely a roadblock to professionalization. This paper critically analyzes the professionalization of preschool education in the local context.…

Discusses how bulletin boards can include children's own work as well as items placed there by teachers and can serve as evidence of the real learning, including literacy learning, that children are doing. (BB)