Teachers were beginning to see teasing, taunting, bullying, and other damaging behaviors in their group of toddlers. This article describes two class activities--a relay race and singing during transitions--that allowed all the children to experience success and thus helped the class overcome the negative behaviors.

Math and science and the related technology and engineering are natural pairings. These four disciplines form the acronym STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) and can be readily combined into an integrated curriculum for early childhood classrooms. Many educators believe that children learn best when disciplines are interconnected. An…

Noticing and being able to manipulate the sounds of spoken language-phonological awareness-is highly related to later success in reading and spelling. The authors define and explain the levels of phonological awareness-syllable awareness, onset-rime awareness, phoneme awareness. They give teachers step-by-step instructions for implementing a…

Focuses on developing the capacity to differentiate between the inner child of our own past and the child being cared for in the present. Emphasizes the need for adults and children to communicate feelings, meanings, truth, and understanding. Several songs for children are included. (BJD)

Notes that songs can bridge generations, draw students and teachers together, and remain forever in a child's memory. Suggests the following approaches for early childhood educators: sing with children, share favorite songs with students, allow students to sing and share their favorite songs, and do not focus on students' musical memory. (LBT)

This article explains how children learn to sing and discusses criteria for selecting songs suitable for young voices. Teachers should begin with the familiar, proceed with what is comfortable, move on to what is functional, and reach out to new ideas. Provides sources for and examples of appropriate records, tapes, songbooks, and story songs.…

Provides guidelines for preschool teachers leading singing activities. Discusses the musical abilities of young children at different ages and suggests appropriate songs for each age group. Describes way to learn and teach songs. (CB)

Describes the Montessorian basic music program for young children, a system that teaches children to listen, play instruments, sing, and move rhythmically. (BJD)

Discusses how creating a musical climate in early childhood classrooms can give children a way to express feelings and ideas, and can smoothly blend the activities and routines of the classroom day. Provides suggestions for making new songs from old and creating new songs. Includes sample songs. (KB)

Preschool and elementary school children can participate in pleasurable and worthwhile language experiences through the use of rhythmic group chants. Teachers can select contemporary poems, nursery rhymes, or have children make up their own chants. Provides examples of group chants and sources for chants, rhymes, and poems. (MDM)

Challenges early childhood teachers to sing to and with young children, with parents, and with other adults. Discusses singing as an often neglected physical and emotional experience in American culture. Makes suggestions for singing and effectively involving children in music activities throughout the school day, including selecting songs…

Describes the benefits of a curriculum that includes musical experiences. Discusses methods teachers can use to incorporate focused listening, singing accuracy, beat competency, and music appreciation into classroom activities. Suggested records and tapes are listed. (LB)

Describes music as a mnemonic that adds variety and interest to the curriculum and is an important component of multisensory learning. Offers suggestions for creating/using story songs with young children, including the use of one musical phrase in an existing story and creating a melody for an entire story. Gives practical advice for using and…

Suggests developmentally appropriate ways early childhood teachers can help young children express, interpret, and understand their experiences through song. Discusses the importance of singing for gaining music and literacy skills and encouraging self-expression and creativity. Includes tips related to posture, breathing, vocal exploration, vocal…