The evaluation of this project provides further evidence that the more traditional modes of in-service training need to be replaced with programs that provide help for teachers in their own individual classrooms. Advisors who assume roles of working in school settings over extended periods of time need to have certain qualities that will make them…

This report presents the highlights of a year's experience with the advisory approach to the in-service education of elementary school teachers. The term "advisory" is defined as in-service assistance to teachers that is provided only at their request, in terms of their own goals, and "in situ" rather than in formal courses; it is designed in such…

The stages are survival, consolidation, renewal, and maturity, and suggestions are given for inservice training and assistance at each level. (SP)

The purpose of this essay is to present some principles, assumptions, and techniques that might be useful for inservice teacher educators or prospective teachers. Teacher educators should try first of all to focus on teachers' understandings of situations in order to help make those understandings more appropriate, more accurate, deeper, and more…

An educational issue today concerns the quality of teaching in preschools. Many additional preschool teachers will be required in the next few years to meet the increased enrollments in preschool programs. Not only must proper training programs for future teachers be designed, but it has been noted that most people now teaching preschool children…

Some principles, assumptions, and teaching techniques related to inservice education are presented in this paper for teacher educators who work with teachers or caregivers, Child Development Associate graduates or prospective teachers. The following principles for the selection of interactional focus are identified and discussed: (1) the teacher's…

This collection of four papers focuses on selected issues in early childhood education. The first paper "The Advisory Approach to Inservice Training" presents the highlights of a year's experience with the advisory (on-site consultant) approach to the inservice education of elementary school teachers. A major objective of this pilot study was to…

Four dimensions of training for preschool teaching are suggested in this paper: (1) developmental stages of the teacher; (2) training needs of each stage; (3) location of the training; and (4) timing of training. The growth of preschool teachers generally occurs in stages associated with survival, consolidation, renewal, and maturity. Training…

This paper outlines 6 principles for inservice educators and others engaged in staff development for early childhood programs. Principle 1 recommends that inservice educators focus on modifying a teacher's understandings (the constructions, concepts, or schemata relevant to his or her work) rather than on giving prescriptions for behavior.…

This book is a collection of 10 papers discussing aspects of teacher development and working with children. "Teachers' Developmental Stages" outlines four developmental stages in teachers' professional growth, and suggests implications for teacher training. "Teachers in Preschools: Problems and Prospects" discusses child-adult…

Articles present information on using the student project approach and instructional themes in early childhood settings. Articles describe particular projects, teachers and students' experiences with project learning, the Reggio Emilia approach, phases of project work, using ordinary moments during the day to support children's construction of…

Current knowledge and practices in the field of preprimary teacher education are discussed with respect to unique characteristics of the field, general issues in teacher education and preprimary education, and recent developments in inservice education. Unique characteristics of the field of preprimary teacher education include role ambiguity,…

This paper is based on a memorandum written to the chairman of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Illinois concerning the author's experiences teaching three undergraduate teacher education courses. The paper describes some of the difficulties and failures of this teaching experience and conveys general impressions…

This book presents five papers that address a variety of issues confronting those who work directly with young children and their teachers. The first three articles present ways of thinking about what constitutes professionalism in working with children and parents. Specifically, "Contemporary Perspectives on the Roles of Mothers and…