Noting that the approach to early childhood education of Reggio Emilia, Italy, has gained worldwide recognition as it challenges accepted approaches, this book reflects the impressions and experiences of the Reggio Emilia approach gained by a range of early childhood educators following a study visit to the region. The book focuses on key issues…

This report presents the most recent salary and benefits data available for the U.S. child care workforce. Median level child care salaries are compared to the median salaries of other occupations. In addition, data for average wages of preschool teachers and child care workers are presented for each state, with information on wages available by…

Although developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) has gained widespread acceptance within early childhood education, it is not accepted by all. This study examined resistance to the DAP concept among: (1) Head Start and other early childhood teachers; (2) child caregivers; (3) African-American mothers; and (4) masters students in early childhood…

This annual report details the activities and accomplishments of the Polish Children and Youth Foundation (PCYF), established in 1992 to foster the development of Polish children and youth from age 5 to 20 through financial support to organizations serving children and youth, through training programs for local government officials and others, and…

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…

Many Americans assume children's publicly funded education begins with kindergarten. To the contrary, kindergarten is not mandated in all states. Moreover, most kindergarten programs implemented in the public education system are half-day; full-day kindergarten is far less frequent. Access to kindergarten is highly dependent on state, school…

Examines how the forms used by teachers to document planning and assess children's progress affect three child care center teachers' practice and expectations for young children. Narratives are constructed using qualitative methods to show how requirements for documentation may lead teachers to override goals of developmentally appropriate…

This study assessed one center's interpretation of child-centered instruction in terms of children's daily activities, social affiliation, and classroom behavior. Staff interviews and classroom observations indicated that children: (1) spent less time engaging in focused learning activities; (2) sustained attention on one activity for smaller…

A survey of 85 early childhood special educators and 88 Head Start educators in five southern states examined the adequacy of their preservice and inservice preparation to work with children, ages 3 through 5, who were prenatally exposed to cocaine. Identification methods, service patterns, preservice and inservice opportunities, and additional…

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)

Effects of a measurement and planning system on the cognitive development, promotion, and referral to special education of 838 public school kindergartners were studied. The 428-member experimental group, whose 29 teachers implemented the system, had higher posttest scores in reading, mathematics, and science than did the 410-member control group.…

Describes the "Jump Start" program, developed with Library Services and Technology Act funds and designed to provide more pre-school services to children in a poor community in Chicago. Discusses the project plan; workshops for area child care providers and future workers in the field; collection development; outreach to educational institutions;…

A growing phenomenon in the United States is state-funded pre-kindergarten. This article deals with the status of pre-K programs in the United States. In this article, the authors discuss a major study of 240 state-funded pre-K programs in six states initiated by the National Center for Early Development and Learning (NCEDL) to provide a base of…