Children need privacy for learning autonomy, negotiation of space, creation, observation, and self-evaluation. Children achieve privacy by territoriality, verbal and nonverbal behavior, aggression, and withdrawal. Adults can help children meet privacy needs by providing a manipulable environment and schedule that balance solitude and interaction…

Presents suggestions for creating a classroom environment where young children's thinking and reasoning processes are supported. Discusses organizing time blocks for predictability and flexibility and organizing the physical space, including providing access to work spaces and access to materials. (KB)

Presents ways that daily circle time can help build a community of learners in early childhood settings. Notes the importance of involving children in circle time routines, and building shared rituals, such as greetings and recognition. Discusses the use of circles at midday and the end of the day for reflection and community building. (KB)

A checklist is provided to evaluate the school environment as experienced by the child. A selected list of films, books, and pamphlets for the teacher is included. (DR)

Classroom management can have a direct effect on the kinds of behaviors students exhibit and make the difference between chaos and an orderly environment that facilitates learning. Suggestions for teachers involve planning for physical space, arrival and departure times, the scheduling of transitions, children's interactions with equipment and…

In response to extended-day child care schedules, this article offers suggestions for planning a variety of developmentally appropriate activities to maintain the preschool child's interest and energy. Suggestions are provided for scheduling, enlisting parent and volunteer participation, increasing awareness of current events, and for end-of-day…

Suggests ways that children's literature can be used to extend mathematical thinking to daily life and events in the preschool and primary grades classroom. Discusses books pertaining to such events as the calendar, celebrating birthdays, the daily schedule, taking attendance, and the lunch menu. (BB)

Documents the process of exploring the Reggio Emilia approach in Head Start classrooms in Iowa. Describes areas of exploration, including revising the classroom environments and daily schedules, using more documentation, instituting child-initiated projects, and collaborating on a deeper level with colleagues. Includes excerpts from children's…

Explores the impact on children's activities and staff behavior of removing clocks and watches from an early childhood classroom. Describes how removing old patterns of time organization required teacher reflection about taken-for-granted scripts for time and permitted them to invent new scripts that were more supportive of developmentally…