Engaging families in their children's growth and learning can support the healthy social, emotional, cognitive and physical development of young children. These affirmative relationships also support positive life long outcomes for children. The Kansas Family Engagement and Partnership Standards for Early Childhood provide guidance for families,…

Now in its second edition, "Nature and Young Children" promotes the holistic development of children by connecting them with nature. It offers advice and guidance on how to set up indoor and outdoor nature play spaces as well as encouraging environmentally responsible attitudes, values and behaviour in your early childhood setting. Covering topics…

This article provides early childhood practitioners a way to develop a common understanding of the importance of play in the early learning experience of young children. Meaningful discussion among teachers, parents, administrators, and teacher candidates regarding play in early childhood education programs is critical to ensure the growth and…

The role of speech in child development is examined, reasons for lack of speech in school are suggested (including anxiety, shock, overprotection, abuse, or anger), and four recommendations for teacher action are offered (including having empathy and encouraging other means of communication). (CL)

Two articles focus on the meanings children, including exceptional children, associate with death and dying and on ways to help children deal with death. (Author/CL)

The article describes procedures for developing and evaluating the pretend play of mentally handicapped children and provides illustrative case studies on the use of the observation scheme to evaluate children's progress. (SBH)

Social development is an important and integral part of reading readiness; the reading teacher must be aware of the social skills needed for productive growth in reading and the techniques involved in developing them. (HOD)

Three self-esteem research guides, based on research data collected for the California Task Force to Promote Self Esteem, are presented. This research supported the belief that low self-esteem is directly related to low school achievement and school dropout. These assumptions are stated: (1) self-esteem can be measured; (2) a person's self-esteem…

Outlines reasons and gives suggestions for teaching accurate nutrition information in a context relevant to each child and his or her family. (Author/ED)

Puts movement in the context of "thematic learning" and "thematic learning" in the context of a general approach to education. For a fuller picture readers are referred to his book, "Children and Themes." (Editor/RK)

Discusses the causes, symptoms and treatment of allergies that affect children's development, learning, peer relationships and behavior in the classroom. (CM)

This resource booklet focuses on the definitions, developmental stages, and the benefits of socio-dramatic play. The booklet deals with the players, shows how adults can support children's play, describes the play environment, and offers some suggestions for development of curriculum based on play. The booklet discusses children's approach to…

From adding richness and variety to learning, to redesigning a playground, this highly accessible text will provide early years practitioners with a wealth of ideas on how to foster creative play and learning in the outdoor environment with a focus on interacting with the natural world. "Nature and Young Children" contains many simple ideas on the…

This manual for trainers of new mentors offers activities for 2 workshops that together add up to between 5-6 hours of training. The activities are intended for preservice training and designed to help participants: understand their role as mentors; develop necessary skills and attitudes; understand the concept of positive youth development; learn…

The purpose of this "Written Language Developmental Continuum" brochure for second through fifth grades is to provide helpful information for parents, teachers, and other adults as they work with young children to advance and refine written language (writing) competence. The brochure is intended to be a useful tool for assessing…