Caring for infants and toddlers has long been conceptualized in Western society as mothers' work, and consequently devalued. Alternative care for infants and toddlers has lacked a knowledge base like that undergirding preschool education. Factors impeding research on infant/toddler care include strong ideological opposition to nonmaternal care,…

Young children's curiosity about nature and their need to make sense of the world presents an opportunity to incorporate science as a natural and critical part of children's early learning. This guide, part of a preschool science curriculum, uses an inquiry approach to encourage young naturalists to observe life more closely, build an…

This guide was developed for North Carolina teachers in early childhood education and focuses on how play-based center activities in kindergarten teach literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, and the arts. Development of the guide was based on educators' experiences and their understanding of how children learn. The guide's introduction…

This document consists of 10 monthly newsletter issues for 2001, in English and Spanish language versions, exploring topics related to early childhood behavior and parenting. Regularly appearing features include book recommendations, "Library Resources,""Preschoolers in the Kitchen,""Kids Crafts,""Research…

Noting that the quality of early childhood education (ECE) programs offered in public schools is directly affected by the understanding of and value placed on such a program by the building principal, this qualitative study examined principals' understanding and beliefs about children's play and its place in K-2 early childhood programs. Phase 1…

This publication of the New York Counseling Association is dedicated to providing in-depth articles about research on topics relevant to the profession. It is designed for use by professionals working in schools, colleges, and agency settings. The 1999 volume comprises two issues. Issue 1 is devoted to the topic of play therapy. Articles include:…

Featuring profiles of families involved in a variety of progressive parenting approaches, this guide integrates the physical, mental, spiritual and social tasks of childrearing to present a holistic approach to parenting and family life. The chapters are: (1) "The Whole Parenting Approach to Family Life"; (2) "A Healthy Start:…

This study examined preschool children's concepts of relationships with imaginary companions and real people, using the notion of social provisions, or types of social support and interactions. Four-year-olds were interviewed about social provisions--power, conflict, nurturance, and instrumental help--present in relationships with parent, best…

Noting that all parents can help their baby's brain to grow, this guide, in English- and Spanish-language versions, explores what science has learned about infant brain development and how parents and caregivers can influence cognitive development. Topics covered include: prenatal care, touching your baby, teaching about feelings and self-control,…

The Integrated Preschool Curriculum (IPC), which is designed to facilitate the social integration of young children at risk for learning disabilities into mainstreaming and integrated special education classes, was compared with a standard early childhood education model curriculum. The IPC successfully promoted social interaction between…

Common themes emerge from the writings of John Dewey and George Herbert Mead on four educational topics discussed here: (1) play; (2) science teaching; (3) history teaching; and (4) industrial education. Both men deplored the fragmentation of education and believed moral insight could be furthered through social understanding, science, and…

Physical, cognitive, and social-emotional symptoms of autism are described, along with possible causes of the condition and treatments. A "theraplay" physical education program in Newark, Delaware, is discussed, where physical activities such as rhythm, body awareness, perceptual motor development, and swimming are used to engage…

Elementary school children's definitions of work and play reveal three varieties of play: instrumental play, recreation, and illicit play. Each variety includes elements of both accommodation and resistance. Teachers' reaction to children's play serves to maintain their control of classroom events without banning play entirely from the elementary…

The effects of three modes of story reconstruction training on the development of children's story comprehension are examined. One hundred and eight children in grades K-2 were assigned randomly to one of three training conditions: thematic-fantasy play, adult-lead discussion, or drawing. (Author/PN)