The demise of recess in many elementary schools--and of outdoor play in general--is an issue of great concern to many members of the Play, Policy, and Practice Interest Forum. Most people remember recess as an important part of the school day. It was a time to be outdoors; to organize games; to play on the swings, slides, and other playground…

The current academic focus of the Race to the Top education initiative, as well as that of its predecessor, No Child Left Behind, is in keeping with democratic ideals about success for all. However, the push-down approach to academics has transformed pre-school classrooms into environments that more closely resemble first or second grade. Many…

Address presented by the Senator from Minnesota at the Annual Conference of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, Minneapolis, Minn., Nov. 6, 1971. (RY)

Reviews "Head Start: The Inside Story of America's Most Successful Educational Experiment. (Edward Zigler and Susan Muenchow), an insider's account of the early days of the preschool program, and how the program emerged conceptually and politically. (HTH)

Introduces a statewide child care resource-and-referral network that links programs together at the state level while linking parents and providers at the local level as a model for meeting child care needs in rural areas. Suggests that the collaboration and creativity of rural community members and state-level leaders can ensure the best services…

Reviews health concerns and considerations for pregnant child care staff and discusses elements to include when developing or revising parental leave policies and procedures. Summarizes the elements of an exemplary comprehensive leave policy and supports the positions presented with the related federal legislation. (AA)

Describes the ways in which major provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are likely to affect child care centers and family child care homes. Keys to success with the ADA are listed. (BB)