Overcoming challenges to quality early education in developing nations, TEACH Rwanda, one high-performing education system, offers a model of childhood learning through sensitive teacher dispositions, child-centred play, and culturally relevant materials. This manuscript provides a unique window into the practices of a quality early childhood…

Engaging teachers of young children in effective in-service professional development is a critical component of establishing high quality early childhood education. However, not all professional development offerings are effective in imparting new knowledge, enhancing teacher practice, or improving child outcomes, making it difficult for teachers…

The symposium provides an overview of the Early Years STEM Australia (ELSA) program. The conceptual underpinnings of the program are framed within STEM practices, rather than traditional thinking concerning the integration of discipline content knowledge. We will argue that our focus on practices is more aligned with the play-based and intentional…

Federal attention is focused currently on investing and improving the quality of early childhood education, so that children's potential and talent development can be used as a natural resource for the future of our country. This article engages readers in transitioning their thinking about early childhood gifted education from a traditional…

Early childhood educators, especially those in preschool centers, are often expected to design and implement movement programs. However, these individuals may not have been taught these skills during their education. The purpose of this study was to determine if early childhood majors could successfully be taught to implement a mastery climate…

This article discusses some of the philosophical and pedagogical considerations arising in the development of a peace curriculum appropriate for use in early childhood education centres in Aotearoa New Zealand, with and by educators, parents/families and young children. It outlines contexts for the proposed curriculum, which include the history of…

Prepared to assist principals, teachers, and volunteers who wish to be part of a district-wide school volunteer program, this booklet lists six steps for planning, organizing, implementing, and evaluating a program for school volunteers. Included in these steps is information on (1) starting such a program (i.e., creating a coordinating committee…

Indicates types of decisions required for establishing a conceptual model for preschool programing and points out functions of articulated conceptual systems in program analysis. Issues concerning development are discussed, including assimilation/accommodation, the child and the environment, and change in behavior patterns. General principles,…

This paper discusses the basic components of a quality summer compensatory program which includes (1) definite objectives, (2) planned, directed teaching, (3) division of responsibility, and (4) internal evaluation. The findings of the Westinghouse report on Head Start and the Ypsilanti Preschool Curriculum Demonstration Project are discussed.…

In New York State, a spry venture called Project Change seeks to reinvigorate early childhood education by revitalizing the teacher. (Editor)

Highlights impressions of the Centre for Early Childhood Education, the Centre's recent work to interpret the philosophy of the Reggio Emilia approach, and examples of how the centre has transformed its practice within a Canadian context. Relates impressions of their environment, traces several examples in the development of the environment, and…

The key to improving the early education of all young children, including those with special needs, is the effective preparation and development of the professionals who work with them. "Practical Approaches to Early Childhood Professional Development" is a comprehensive planning resource for college faculty and consultants engaged in preservice …

This project came about after discussions with the general manager of the Wellington Region Free Kindergarten Association and Jeanette Clarkin-Phillips (University of Waikato) about setting up a research partnership to support the teachers at Taitoko Kindergarten in Levin. The teachers were establishing an integrated community centre (the whanau…

Discusses the issue of informal versus structured programs for preschool children. Reviews the development of and rationale behind traditional child-centered programs and suggests that more research on informal education is necessary. (BD)

This article explores the development and evaluation of the graduate-level Early Childhood Development Virtual University (ECDVU) programme in Sub-Saharan Africa from 2001 through to 2004. It outlines the history of the ECDVU and the establishing of a Sub-Saharan programme for future leaders in the early childhood field guided by the key principle…