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…

Recent research in early childhood education (ECE) centers suggests that some teacher characteristics are not at a level that would support computer learning opportunities for children. This study identified areas of support required by teachers to provide a smooth introduction of the computer into the early childhood education classroom.…

This study examined the differences between preservice and inservice teachers' perceptions of knowledge in instructional planning skills for teaching science in primary grades and identified the skills perceived as most knowledgeable and least knowledgeable by the two groups. Forty-one inservice and preservice African-American teachers from an…

Are you curious about the Reggio Emilia approach but not quite sure where to begin? "Working in the Reggio Way" helps early childhood teachers bring the reflective, high-quality practices of Reggio Emilia to American programs. Based on an American teacher's experience observing and working in the schools of Reggio Emilia, Italy, this…

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…

Summarizes national studies relating staff education/training to child care quality. Finds that more training/education yields higher quality, but no study identifies the most effective dimensions of training/education for improving teacher behavior or child outcomes. Suggests that a common nomenclature for education/training is needed for…

Analysis of early childhood human resource development and management policies in South Korea and six other countries precipitated guidelines for establishing national policy for early childhood education and care (ECEC) in South Korea. The guidelines address basic principles, educational purpose, early childhood education and care operation,…

Presents a case study of a fourth-year kindergarten teacher who has altered her teaching from academic to more developmentally appropriate ways and now attempts to incorporate new curriculum expectations. Examines how her teaching practice evolved, her approach to new curriculum expectations, and what tensions, worries, successes and concerns…

Gives a personalized account of the individual development of one school administrator/founder in relation to a Montessori school's evolution. Suggests that the school must consider stages of development in teachers and parents. Discusses the expansion of services to a second charter school, identifying how failures can lead to success. Suggests…

Examines the use of role play for early childhood teachers so that they may better understand children's emotions and behavior, better understand teachers' emotions and behavior, sort out and respond to children's needs, and discover new strategies for dealing with problem situations and challenging children. Offers advice for using role play with…

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…

Looks at conversations between West German kindergarten teachers and children to determine if boys are given an advantage over girls. Analyzes three aspects of the conversations important to language acquisition: teacher input, teaching and learning strategies, and opportunities. Concludes that boys and girls are treated differently. (Author/LS)

Presents a method of assessing kindergarten children that includes assessment of school achievement and assessment of children's social competence with a combination of measures. Investigation results highlight the argument. (BB)