Almost 300,000 children in the United States from birth to 3 years of age are affected by a developmental disability. Disabilities have a lasting effect on a child's development and, in turn, may have a psychosocial impact on the child's family. In addition, the limitations of a child with a disability are often related to family members' stress,…

In 2002, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation launched Children's Futures (CF), a 10-year community change initiative designed to improve the health and well-being of children from birth to age three throughout Trenton, New Jersey. CF's strategies included efforts to increase residents' access to prenatal and other health services, provide parenting…

Self-regulation and self-determination are part of a continuum of behaviors that are acquired through interaction with the social and physical environment and through problem solving based on experiences that begin in infancy and build throughout early childhood. These abilities should be nurtured early for all children, especially within the…

Designed for child caregivers, this guide to research on infants and toddlers offers references to works that provide reasons for high quality care and increase caregivers' understanding of ways to facilitate the optimal development of babies. Citations concern abuse, attachment, caregiver role, child care effects, child care quality, child…

Acknowledging that toddlers and 2-year-olds explore art as a learning experience or an experiment and are more interested in "doing" art than in making a finished product, this guide for caregivers compiles 75 art experiences, with over 100 variations, and tips for making the activities run smoothly. Following an introduction that includes…

The bibliography of 90 items lists books and journal articles for professionals and parents on the topic of integration of early intervention programs. The list encompasses publications on program models, parental expectations, financial concerns, effects on development of handicapped and nonhandicapped children, social behavior, and educational…

Various issues related to positioning infants and children with central nervous system dysfunction in order to conduct videofluoroscopic swallowing function studies are discussed. Extensive illustrations demonstrate solutions to specific problems. (DB)

This collection of play sheets for parents and early intervention personnel was developed by the "Let's Play! Project," a 3-year federally supported project that worked to promote play in infants and toddlers with disabilities through the use of "low-tech" assistive technology. Each single page guide provides guidance to…

In families with two working parents, fathers make important contributions to children's early language skills. Results from a new study by FPG Child Development Institute show that children whose fathers' vocabulary was more varied when they were two, had greater language skills at age three. Mother's vocabulary was not found to have a…

The bibliography lists books and journal articles which are available on loan (to Illinois residents only) from the Illinois Birth to Three Clearinghouse. The 79 items listed focus on many aspects of autism, such as diagnosis, possible genetic links, social and pragmatic deficits, sleep problems, developmental therapy, drug therapy, behavior…

The study found that five multiply handicapped two-year-olds engaged in a greater frequency of communicative behaviors, a higher number of limb movements, and a higher developmental level of communicative behaviors when the interaction was child-initiated compared to when it was adult-initiated. (Author/JDD)

The family dimensions of 24 Individualized Family Service Plans written for infants/toddlers with handicaps and their families were examined to determine the presence of key legislative requirements, the domains of family goals, structural dimensions, level of parent involvement, and time parameters for goal attainment. Issues surrounding family…

Naturally occurring interactions between a normally hearing mother and her 2-year-old hearing-impaired child were analyzed. Two distinct maternal interaction styles were identified: "labeling" which was very didactic, and "dialoguing" which was very interactive, less controlling, and more similar to interactions between mothers and normally…

Songs, rhymes, and sayings entered in this handbook are particularly useful as basic teaching techniques for babies and small children. Popular and easy to learn, many are simple Mother Goose nursery rhymes. Others are traditional songs and sayings that have been passed on from generation to generation in our culture. Some are appropriate for use…

This guide was developed to assist families and service providers in Connecticut with nutrition services for infants and toddlers with disabilities. Individual sections provide information about the following topics: laws and regulations related to nutrition services; eligibility for the Connecticut Birth to Three System and nutrition; nutrition…