Early Childhood Education: Issues and Developments -- Contents -- Preface -- Creating Healthy Eating Stories: A Guide to Pre-school Teachers -- Abstract -- Introduction -- Objectives -- Materials and Supplies Needed for the Lesson -- Target Audience -- Guidelines for Creating and Telling Stories about Healthy Eating -- Procedure -- Evaluation Questions and Measures for the Story-Telling -- Impact -- Caution -- Conclusion -- Appendix (Sample Story) -- References -- Teacher Candidate Training in High Quality Day Care Centers and in Lower Socioeconomic Settings -- Abstract -- Introduction -- Early Education of Young Children -- Field Experiences in Early Childhood Education Programs -- Placement Settings -- Teacher Candidate Reflection and Self Awareness -- Assessment within Early Childhood Education -- Conclusion -- References -- Mathematics and Science in the Early Years: International Perspectives and Theoretical Views -- Abstract -- Introduction: The Importance of Early Learning in Mathematics and Science from a Global Perspective -- International Perspectives and Theoretical Views of Early Education -- International Perspectives and Approaches to Early Learning -- Explorations in Learning Mathematics and Science -- Concluding Remarks -- References -- A Search for Cooperative Learning Groups in Urban Classrooms -- Abstract -- Introduction -- Research on Cooperative Learning Groups -- What is Happening in the Classroom? -- Teachers' Perspectives on Cooperative Learning Groups -- Supporting Teachers to Develop Cooperative Learning Groups -- Conclusion -- References -- Effects of Empowering Primary Caregivers on Developmental/Functional Outcomes of Young Children at Risk: A Family-Centered Approach -- Abstract -- Introduction -- Low Birth Weight and Prematurity -- Parent-Child Interaction -- Family-Centered Approach -- Method -- Social Validity.

Inter-Rater Reliability -- Results -- Discussion -- Limitation -- References -- Validity of a Structured Interview Protocol for Assessing Children's Preferences -- Abstract -- Introduction -- Method -- Results -- Discussion -- Conclusion -- Appendix Indirect Preference Assessment Interview Protocol -- Author Notes -- References -- A Cross-Cultural Analysis of Young Children's Visual Responses to Picture Books -- Abstract -- Introduction -- Review of the Literature -- Method -- Scenes from the Children's Journals -- Conclusion -- References -- Drawings and Conceptions of Play by Childrens Ages 7-12 -- Abstract -- Introduction -- Theoretical Introduction to Play -- The Project -- Childrens Drawings and Conceptions of Play -- Conclusion -- References -- Identifying Children's Interests and Planning Learning Experiences: Challenging Some Taken-for-granted Views -- Abstract -- Introduction -- Research on Interest -- Building on Children's Interests: An Elusive Goal? -- Implications for Teacher Education and Professional Development -- Summary -- References -- How Reading to Children Influences Children's Memory Development -- Abstract -- Introduction -- The Benefits of Reading to Children -- Types of Memory -- Children's Memory Development -- How Reading to Children Influences their Developing Memory -- Conclusion -- References -- Images of Childhood, Early Education and Care: Mediating the Principles of Social Constructionism with Teachers' Perceptions of Practice and Pedagogy -- Abstract -- Introduction -- Social Constructionism, Images of Childhood and Implications for Care and Education -- Examining Images of Childhood: Social Constructionism and the Practice of Early Childhood Education -- Conclusion -- Acknowledgements -- References -- Children's Humor: A Revised Theoretical Framework -- Abstract -- Introduction -- Theoretical Framework.

Research Aims -- Methods -- The Employment Theory -- Conclusion -- References -- Innovative School-Family Communication: Parent's Perceptions of the Use of Monthly Classroom DVD Newsletters -- Abstract -- Introduction -- Method -- Results -- Conclusion -- Acknowledgment -- References -- A Comprehensive Approach to Assessing Children in Early Childhood Eduation -- Abstract -- Introduction -- Overview of the Early Instructional and Assessment Unit -- Purposes of Early Childhood Assessment and Early Education Assessment -- Guidelines for Early Childhood Education Assessment -- Components of the Early Instructional and Assessment Unit (EIAU) -- Suggestions for Developing the Early Instructional and Assessment Unit -- Appendix A. A Sample List of Readiness and Learning Indicators for Kindergarten in Ontario -- References -- Index.