Discussed are adults' egocentric attitudes about children, particularly toddlers, and ways in which such attitudes can creat unnecessary stress in the caregiver and toddler. Emphasis is given to: (1) hostile myths about toddlers that obscure reality and muddy relationships; (2) misunderstandings about ways in which toddlers think; (3) young…

The young child learns patriotism through music, art, games, and dramatic activities. Concepts in history (names, dates, events) geography, and civics are introduced through specific activities. The media are used as a source of information. Art activities, listening to original stories, musical activities, pantomime, and role playing provide…

These materials for planning a developmental curriculum are designed to be presented in a workshop format, by trainers, for caregivers of young children. Contents of the workshop modules focus on gross motor development, perceptual-motor development, woodworking, preschool math and science, cooking, rhythm and music, and socio-dramatic play. A…

Noting that there are few resources available for preschool or kindergarten teachers committed to providing high-quality drama experiences to students, this book explores ways teachers can maximize the drama experience in preschool and kindergarten classrooms. Topics discussed in the book's introduction include dramatic play and early development,…

The collection of class activities for teaching English as a second language (ESL) to young children consists of ideas contributed by classroom teachers. The book is divided into 14 sections: (1) social interaction, including activities ranging from first-time classroom encounters to learning about and working with special-needs children; (2)…

In 1980, Kentucky reported the nation's lowest percentage of adults, aged 25 and older, who had graduated from high school. Legislators were inundated with recommendations for reform. The result was the enactment of the Parent and Child Education (PACE) pilot program (1986). In the PACE program, parents without high school diplomas attend classes…

Inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach to early learning, this CD-ROM and Teacher's Guide invite young children on a journey with Ani, a friendly alien from another planet, to collect and learn about natural objects in seven different "learning centers." The CD-ROM program is designed to encourage creativity in science, art, and dramatic…

This chapter is part of a book that recounts the year's work at the Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) at Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi. Rather than an "elitist" laboratory school for the children of university faculty, the dual-language ECDC is a collaboration between the Corpus Christi Independent School District and…

Music forms the core of the second unit of a fine arts program in Spanish for first graders. With instructional and evaluation activities built around the family, kits five through eight, each designed for two to three weeks of instruction, use songs as a basis for dramatizations, drawing, and dancing. Each kit includes music, lyrics, graphic…

Recommends that drama be included in early childhood education, emphasizing preschool education. Cites research linking drama with enhanced language acquisition in children, ages 3-8. Emphasizes drama's effectiveness as a multisensory learning medium. Notes programs offering drama training for teachers. Suggests changes in teacher education and…

Unit 10 of a fine arts bilingual program developed for the third grade is oriented toward the basic theme of communities around the world and supports the spiraling questions of who the individual is, what his alternatives are, how he can initiate change, and what the results of change are. This teacher's guide to kits 37-40 explains focus,…

After a critical examination of four assumptions of current procedures in language assessment, it is argued that the pragmatic domain of language ability should be the first to be assessed. A study designed to determine the usefulness of language variation (the number of different structures a child can produce or comprehend) as an alternative…

This teacher's guide describes a program about urban ecology which can be used with children from kindergarten through grade six. The program comprises five units which explore concepts and practical issues of consumption in the home, health and well-being, commercial enterprise, transportation and networks, and production. Each unit's content is…

The Project's report on its second year gives a detailed description of the construction and trial of its innovative 8th-grade American History course. Local history and local and national contemporary problems were interwoven with the traditional content of American history. Teaching-learning methods and activities included film-viewing,…

In recent years, preschool and elementary school teachers have noted increases in behavior concerns and developmental delays, possibly caused by prenatal drug or alcohol exposure. This document notes that it is more important to ascertain the children's challenges than the causes. It describes the most promising practices identified for improving…