The home environment provides children with their first literacy experiences. Parents are thus well-placed to facilitate the development of emergent literacy skills in their children before formal reading and writing begins at school. These emergent literacy skills include print awareness, motivation to explore print, shaping and writing skills,…

In contemporary U.S. culture, young children are not only oriented by their own multiple cultures (racial, ethnic, age, gender, and family, to name several), but also by living and learning within a socioculturally conditioned world filled with many different conditions of cultural difference. In this article, the author presents several vignettes…

A child-advocate pleads for adults to respect patterns of growth and to realize that a child's feelings about himself will determine, in large part, his ability to cope with his world. (Author/Editor)

Article calls for more concern over the quality of each child's experience and less emphasis on assembly line approaches in education. (GB)

Argues that education must be a continuing process throughout an individual's life span, taking place in the family, school, and community. (AJ)

Discusses how children can widen their experiences and also acquire a fresh perspective on their everyday experiences through movement and dance. (CM)

A look at some of the basic qualities of good early childhood programs, and some of the problems that still need to be solved. (ST)

Urges caution in purchasing educational products or incorporating educational approaches presented as "brain-based." Critiques brain research on critical periods and enriched environments. Notes that no studies have connected physiological brain function and educational practice and that educators need to be aware of the dangers in…

Describes the Minnesota Early Childhood Family Education Program, which is designed to offer support and information for all parents and their children from birth to kindergarten-enrollment age, and to provide a good early childhood education experience for young children. (Author/PCB)

Introduces a rationale for involving parents in assessments of their children, particularly in the early years. Notes that joint assessment encompasses the earliest records parents keep about their infants, and parents' and professionals' systematic exchange of information, views, and concerns about the child. Discusses three parental assessment…

Describes the Mother Child Home Program wherein Toy Demonstrators" show mothers how to increase daily verbal interaction with their children. (MB)

Discusses humor development in children and other factors that influence children's interpretation and enjoyment of literary humor. These factors include the child's cognitive and linguistic stage of development, the object of humor, sex differences, and past experiences. (BB)

Reviews: (1) "If You Change Your Mind"; (2) "Swinging Safari: Really Wild Animals Series"; (3) "Wonders Down Under: Really Wild Animals Series"; (4) "Deep Sea Dive: Really Wild Animals Series"; (5) "Flags of the Nations"; (6) "A New Baby in My House"; (7) "I Dig Fossils"; and…

Not always apparent is the fact that the mother becomes literally the child's first teacher. (Author)