A national dialog is emerging on the benefits of universal preschool and pre-kindergarten. Now, experts are saying the United States can learn something from France's universal preschool system, which serves nearly 100 percent of French 3- to 5-year olds.

Head Start has generally enjoyed congressional and public support since its creation in 1965. What is not well known, says historian Joseph Hawes, is the intellectual battle over children's IQs, which made the idea of Head Start possible

A July 1999 report shows that high standards in child care make a difference in children's readiness for school. Learn why implementing standards is an ongoing process in this Connect for Kids article.

"In order to understand the tide of violent behavior in which America is now submerged, we must look earlier, before adolescence, before grade school, before preschool-to the cradle" argue the authors of Ghosts from the Nursery. Drawing from research on infant brain development, authors Robin Karr-Morse and Meredith S. Wiley compel readers to rethink our current approaches to violence.

Why aren't more parents recognizing their role as their children's first teachers? Senior Editor Richard Louv explores the challenges that modern parents face to becoming partners in children's learning.

The Challenge 2000 program asks schools to come up with business plans to improve literacy or science and math learning in exchange for money, computers, or extra people power to get things done.

This Yale University report offers hard hitting solutions to the quality crisis in early care and education. Written by Sharon L. Kagan and Nancy E. Cohen, Not by Chance presents a definitive answer to the problems of early care and education based on research and input from the foremost early childhood experts. The report lays out a comprehensive plan for further professionalizing early care and education on a national level, supported by detailed action strategies that can be tailored to local and state settings.

Allan Shedlin, Jr. offers thoughts on what childhood memories, beginning with infancy, mean for our children's future.

The National Association of Elementary School Principals suggests ways to help your child have a safe and productive summer.

Training in music and arts should be considered as important for kids as cognitive development asserts sociologist Karen Pittman. Learn more in this article from journalist Susan Kellam.