In recent years, there has been increasing emphasis on integrated STEM education, reflecting the fact that the four STEM disciplines (i.e., science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) are often integrated in real-world applications. However, most K-12 teachers are trained within their own subject discipline and may not be capable of…

Engaging teachers of young children in effective in-service professional development is a critical component of establishing high quality early childhood education. However, not all professional development offerings are effective in imparting new knowledge, enhancing teacher practice, or improving child outcomes, making it difficult for teachers…

Educational policy is often developed using a top-down approach. Recently, there has been a concerted shift in policy for educators to develop programs and research proposals that evolve from "scientific" studies and focus less on their intuition, aided by professional wisdom. This article analyzes several national and international…

Programmatic initiatives for fathers have grown rapidly in early childhood settings during the past decade. This article reviews the research literature on attitudes about father involvement in programs, patterns of father involvement, studies about program development, outcome studies, and correlates of father involvement in programs.…

Background on the development of early education for the handicapped in the Federal Republic of Germany and on legislative and financial factors is discussed as well as current practice in early intervention and preschool education. The state of professional training and research is indicated, as are the major issues reflected in recent…

Reviews current literature on mentor-program development and provides guidelines based on an Arkansas early-childhood-educator mentor program. Highlights areas of concern, including mentoring definition; effect of mentoring on mentor; communication and listening skills; characteristics and attitude of effective mentors; aiding mentors to insulate…

In recent years, growing knowledge of the critical importance of early childhood development for lifelong learning and growth had led to increased calls for the professionalism of early childhood educators, including higher standards for their training and education. As part of this attention to professional development, many states are…

This paper presents a summary of systems change research as it applies to planning comprehensive early childhood service systems. It explains the inter-agency model developed by the Collaborative Planning Project for Planning Comprehensive Early Childhood Systems at the University of Colorado. The model attempts to address system issues such as…

This discussion reviews the literature regarding consultation as a form of indirect service delivery in early intervention for children with disabilities, identifies barriers to effective consultation practice, and concludes that consultation can allow children with disabilities to receive intervention services in integrated settings if…

The author describes how intellectual and academic strengths develop in young children and how children's daily behavior can reveal the presence of extraordinary capability. The relationships between the emergence of advanced intellectual skills and development of physical and social competencies are discussed. The implications of children's…

This report of the regional meeting of experts in Asia and Oceania provides review of presentations from different countries, a review of research and pedagogical considerations, and recommendations concerning new approaches for early childhood education. Particular reference is made to disadvantaged rural and urban populations. Also included are…

This article attempts to synthesize the most recent developments in the field of early childhood education and provides a framework for understanding the key issues and trends that will be likely to dominate the attention of educators during the coming decade. (CT)

To use technology effectively, teachers of severely handicapped young children require technological competencies (especially competency with microcomputers) in the areas of assessment and program planning, program implementation and administration, family involvement, and personal productivity. A list of these competencies is provided, along with…

This paper presents a brief overview of research relevant to early childhood education, reviews some recent intervention programs for preschool and kindergarten children, and investigates the need for policymakers to establish programs based on research findings. Particular attention is given to an intervention research study conducted with…

This paper lists practices recommended by the Council for Exceptional Children's Division for Early Childhood concerning work with infants and young children who are gifted, in early intervention and early childhood special education programs. An introductory section discusses the benefits of early intervention with gifted children and notes the…