The author began working with preschool-aged children long before becoming a professor, and nearly every element of the author's approach to teaching in higher education is rooted in early childhood theory and practice. In addition to provocations, he seeks to activate the "whole student," promote peer supports, and incorporate…

Despite the increased use of video for data collection, most research using assessment interviews in early childhood education relies solely upon the analysis of linguistic data, ignoring children's bodies. This trend is particularly troubling in studies of marginalized children because transcripts limited to language can make it difficult to…

Early learning and development guidelines have often been regarded as a deterrent to an emphasis on play within early learning settings for infants and toddlers. In examining the context for, and the evolution of, early learning guidelines, the article delineates the need to scrutinize and help reverse this mindset. To that end, the authors…

Three main purposes provided the foundation for this study. The first purpose was to investigate academic achievement through analyses of data obtained through formal and informal assessments among kindergarten through eighth grade students who participated in a Head Start program, center-based care program, or home-based care prior to school…

Many strategies contribute to forming co-constructed relationships. However, one of the most effective tools that supports co-construction is ongoing assessment, which provides a common base (knowledge of the child) on which families and professionals can build relationships. As a part of this ongoing assessment, informal strategies--including…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of action research by ten preservice teachers earning their associate's degree in early childhood education from a small university in the West. Their goal was to assess the impact of their teaching on student learning with children birth to 8 years of age. This study represents the use of…

Thirty children from two age levels (4 to 5 and 6 to 7 years) with diagnosed language problems were tested with four informal methods of language evaluation: spontaneous language sampling, elicited imitation, sentence completion, and grammatical judgment. Overall comparisons between tasks revealed significant correlations between spontaneous…

Twenty early childhood practitioners (ECPs) and final-year Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies students completed a questionnaire about their use (or planned use) of formal and informal child development assessment instruments, their choice of specific instruments, and factors influencing decisions to conduct child development assessments within…

Naturalistic inquiry is an alternative to traditional assessment and experimental methodologies for measuring the effects of early intervention programs with young handicapped children. Discussion focuses on (1) the inductive nature of the naturalistic method; (2) potential strengths and weaknesses; (3) procedures for data collection. (Author/JW)

Suggestions are made for using an understanding of child development to ensure fair and constructive competency testing in the first years of school. (JD)

Prepared as part of a United Stated Education Department project on evaluation in early childhood Title I (ECT-I) programs, this is one of a series of resource books developed in response to concerns expressed by state and local personnel about early childhood Title I programs. By considering: (1) who will use the evaluation results; (2) what…

Provides an evaluation form consisting of 23 yes-no and 8 short-answer questions for parents of day care children to complete. (RJC)

The author provides suggestions for teachers to assess mentally handicapped deaf-blind children with observational techniques. (IM)

Discusses social competence in young children and its implications for social and academic adjustment later in life. Suggests methods which teachers can use to assess social competence and to help children develop social skills. (RJC)

The paper addresses identification of the young gifted child and explores research on the importance of early recognition and programs designed to meet the needs of gifted students. The history of gifted education and early childhood education is traced. Reasons for intervention, such as maximizing the potential of the gifted child, are pointed…