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…

This study investigated the determinants and consequences of teacher-parent relations in the preschool context. Differences in teacher-parent relations appear to depend on the relative power of the two parties. Since teachers always control the main service offered by the institution, i.e. care and/or education of young children, and are always…

The primary goal of this practicum study was to provide opportunities for Head Start teachers to become knowledgeable of community resources that would encourage their aesthetic awareness and enhance their creative growth. A total of 16 teachers and teacher aides visited a local Dali Museum, a fine arts museum, a planetarium, a historical museum,…

Reviews trends in service provision to children with special needs and demonstrates the research-based efficacy of early intervention in family-centered inclusive contexts in early educational and care settings. Argues that changing roles of early childhood teachers need to be strengthened, because teachers possess skills to coordinate and…

Examples are provided in this discussion to indicate the nature of professional judgment in a teaching situation likely to be encountered by most child care workers or preschool teachers. Specifically, this predicament involves a problem in turn taking among 4-year-olds. As used here, the term "professional judgment" refers to cognitive…

Considers the definition and assessment of creativity, a framework for understanding what occurs during the creative thinking process, and how the caregiver, educator, or helping professional can develop creativity to find solutions to caregiving or managerial problems. Discusses the attributes of creative individuals, and is the importance of…

Compares school readiness expectations of preschool and kindergarten teachers. Results indicate that preschool teachers had higher expectations than did kindergarten teachers for kindergarten entry skills. Preschool teachers' expectations approximated kindergarten teachers' expectations of children's performance at kindergarten exit. (Author/BB)

Presents principles and strategies for child care coaching and mentoring systems, including: (1) think in terms of a learning and empowerment process; (2) treat staff as you would have them treat children; (3) provide training for different needs and interests; (5) emphasize dispositions as much as skills and knowledge; and (6) build a community…

Considers the various names applied to the early childhood education field. Discusses the confusion of parents in deciding on a program, and of legislators responding to advocates and considering legislation; maintains that the name confusion may be detrimental for the field. Suggests that a change in nomenclature could alert the public to the…

Examined attitudes of 76 Singaporean preschool teachers and supervisors regarding integrating young children with disabilities into mainstream preschool centers. Findings indicated that the majority of teachers were willing to consider integrating but voiced concerns about their abilities to cope on a daily basis without relevant information about…

A practicum project was designed to retrain preschool personnel on the importance of indoor play and on their role during play sessions. Workshops and training sessions were developed to examine the physical environment of the classroom, discuss play theories, and review skills that children can develop during play sessions. Pre- and posttests,…

This pamphlet provides general information concerning the application of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to employees of preschool centers. The contents include discussion of the purview of the Act regarding preschools; monetary requirements such as minimum wages and employee facilities; provisions for equal pay, overtime pay, work hours,…

This paper summarizes demographic information on early childhood programs and teachers of 3- and 4-year-olds. Questionnaires were sent to a random sample of early childhood programs across the United States. Data were collected on teacher characteristics and structural features of early childhood programs (enrollment, class size, hours of…

Surveyed Austrian kindergarten teachers about their perceptions of the function of kindergarten in the context of current socioeconomic conditions. Found that teachers no longer see kindergarten as merely an education-providing institution: one-fourth considered kindergarten's main task to be substituting for family care; one-fifth claimed that…