Among the various age groups in early childhood programs, toddlers seem the most challenging for teachers to work with. Toddlers are often viewed as oppositional, clingy, whiny, prone to tantrums, untrustworthy, and exasperating. The author believes that these characterizations insert unnecessary negativity into the spirits of toddlers and…

Presents child-care directors' opinions regarding influences on their thinking about staff development. Suggests strategies for keeping professional-development efforts on track, such as using the questions emerging from working with children as a basis for learning, incorporating time and systems for thinking about learning, forming a book/study…

Presents principles and strategies for child care coaching and mentoring systems, including: (1) think in terms of a learning and empowerment process; (2) treat staff as you would have them treat children; (3) provide training for different needs and interests; (5) emphasize dispositions as much as skills and knowledge; and (6) build a community…

Presents strategies used in early childhood anti-bias workshops to promote understanding of the influences on identity development, including asking teachers to recall their earliest memory of differences. Discusses strategies to help participants recognize different forms of bias, such as analyzing materials with a group thinking process.…

Discusses how early childhood directors can effectively communicate their values and expectations to teachers and parents. Describes strategies for centering discussion with teachers on the value of childhood, including reclaiming the concept of indicators and setting expectations for joy in learning. Strategies for communicating with parents…

Discusses strategies to enhance cultural sensitivity in teachers serving families from different cultures: (1) examine elements of culture and stereotyping through stories and posters; (2) create an imaginary community to enhance sensitivity and team building; (3) examine influences on one's preferred child care practices; and (4) identify…

Presents a checklist that early childhood program directors can use to evaluate staff performance. The checklist enumerates positive behaviors in the areas of general work habits; attitudes and skills with children, parents, classes, and co-workers; and professional development. (AC)

Presents a teacher training methodology for translating creativity into classroom practice by helping teachers (1) identify their own filters and agendas; (2) create an environment that fosters creativity; (3) deepen their understanding of child development; and (4) refine their techniques for student-teacher interaction. (AC)

In this dialogue between two specialists in staff development of child caregivers, the roles of early childhood teachers and child care directors are considered. The need for teachers to observe play and the ways in which training can motivate teachers to observe play are discussed. Directors need to model observation skills for novice teachers.…

Suggests an alternative to typical practices of new staff orientation: one week of paid orientation without direct responsibility for children so they can experience the program vision in action and practice assuming their role within it. Details strategies involved in this approach and encourages directors to calculate the cost of turnover in…

To translate the concept of a conflict resolution curriculum into everyday practice, teachers can identify their own filters and agendas in conflicts; examine the classroom environment; and refine their interaction skills. (LB)

Examines management styles, dispositions, and skills that provide a positive work environment for child care staff. Categorizes suggestions as offering genuine respect and trust, working with a vision for the future, sharing the decision-making process, rejecting a scarcity mentality, tending to the physical environment, and "walking the…

Six articles discuss the relationship between parents and teachers: (1) "Creating Partnership with Families: Problem-Solving Through Communication" (Keyser); (2) "Changing Our Attitudes and Actions in Working With Families" (Hilliard and Pelo); (3) "Including Parents in the Process of Documentation" (Hall, Oleson, and Gambetti); (4) "Empowering…

Written for child care center directors, this book offers a framework for thinking about and organizing the director's work along with principles and strategies to cultivate the kind of thinking and activities that support a vision of early childhood programs as learning communities. Chapter 1, "Guiding Your Program with a Vision," offers a vision…

Argues for developing a storytelling culture in early childhood programs to encourage staff enthusiasm and engagement. Describes five development strategies: (1) descriptive observation; (2) using children's books in staff meetings; (3) creating persona doll stories; (4) using stories from professional literature; and (5) creating visual stories…