The independent Waterford School in Provo, Utah, opened in September 1981, with the goal of providing, through technology, all children with an excellent education. Additionally, it intended to demonstrate how computers could best be used as part of educational delivery. School administrators have found that computerized instruction is improved by…

This collection of brief reports on educational matters of interest to parents contains the most popular titles in the Report to Parents series issued by the National Association of Elementary School Principals as a service to its members. Reports cover the following topics: (1) buying books for children; (2) dealing with child abuse; (3) helping…

The paper focuses on the needs of visually impaired preschoolers in various developmental areas. The importance of attachment to a significant other for establishing trust is outlined and the fact that body awareness, object permanence, range of motion, spatial awareness and orientation must be logically and actively introduced is cited. Aspects…

This handbook for parents and professionals describes Alabama's early intervention and preschool educational system for young children with disabilities. A list of common special education acronyms precedes the guide's four main sections. Section 1, on the state's early intervention system for infants and toddlers, includes the program's purposes…

This series of 10 booklets provides information to new parents on their infants' behavior and development. The topics covered in the four-page booklets are: (1) "Welcome to the World of Babies," including information on infants' communication, baby books, and developmental milestones from birth to 9 months; (2) "Language: All about Communication,"…

Ideas are presented for identifying, evaluating, and selecting instructional software for children with special needs. The article notes several library research tools as sources of information and lists specific questions to consider when evaluating software. (JDD)

New evidence shows the lifelong value of parents' involvement in their children's education. The article provides guidelines for parents, then details the lifelong benefits of parent involvement, highlighting the benefits at each educational level. Methods of promoting family-school partnerships are presented. (SM)

The new call for a universal preschool system is prompting an important policy debate across California. How preschooling is expanded and improved with limited public resources depends on several key issues. The hopeful ideals of "preschool for all"--with children beginning school ready to learn--spark enthusiasm and broaden public will.…

This issue of the "Quarterly Resource" focuses on Head Start's role in complying with federal regulation concerning Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for young children with disabilities. The report spells out the responsibilities of the local education agency and of the Head Start program. It discusses membership on the…

This booklet describes specific ways that parents can help their preschool children learn during the routines of a typical day. It provides general guidelines on safety, child development, and parental expectations, as well as learning activities that can be used when children are waking up, dressing, getting ready for preschool, playing alone,…

This digest offers guidelines to parents of gifted children which emphasize respecting the child's individuality while providing necessary support. A new definition of giftedness is cited which stresses the asynchronous development of such children's cognitive skills and the resultant qualitatively different inner experience. Early signs of…

This short guide, intended for parents, offers 10 suggestions from "Becoming a Nation of Readers," the Report of the National Commission on Reading, along with specific ideas to help children become better readers: (1) help children acquire a wide range of knowledge; (2) talk with children about their experiences; (3) encourage children…

This activity kit was designed for parents to use with their preschool children and focuses on the development of skills through play. Sixty activities are described. Descriptions are accompanied by a photograph, a list of materials needed, directions, the purpose of the activity, and a statement of what the child will learn from it. Many of the…

This package is intended as a guide for reference by concerned adults suspecting a child has been physically, sexually, or emotionally abused. Common misconceptions and myths about sexual abuse are debunked, symptoms of at-risk families are described, types of abuse and possible indications are outlined, and neglect is discussed. Legal aspects of…

Cortical blindness is defined and its diagnosis is explained. Guidelines and sample activities are presented for use in a cognitive/visual/multi-sensory stimulation program to produce progress in cortically blind infants. The importance of using the eyes from birth through early development in order to form the nerve pathways responsible for…