This report introduces the concept of syncretic literacy by examining an exchange in which a 6-year-old Samoan-American boy, in his urban Los Angeles (California) home, involves members of his extended family to complete homework. The study illustrates how English is sometimes used in ways that are consistent with the socialization practices…

This collection of 10 papers is intended as a resource book integrating information on pediatric cochlear implants for educators, parents, implant teams, and rehabilitation specialists. The papers focus on the importance of providing an oral educational environment to maximize cochlear implant success. An introduction notes controversies in the…

This module is part of a training program for foster parents and foster care workers offered at Colorado State University. The module examines the functioning of families with addictive and dependent members. The module's learning objectives address: (1) indicators of addiction problems in families, and cycles of substance use and abuse; (2) roles…

Intended for teachers, reading specialists, administrators, students in teacher education programs, and parents, this book contains descriptions of strategies for fostering emergent literacy and steps for carrying them out. An underlying theme is the merging of the art and the science of teaching. Chapters in the book begin with questions to focus…

The study examined educationally relevant aspects of the home environments of 56 elementary school students with mild educational handicaps. Thirteen aspects of the home environment were examined for the extent to which differences existed among the three categories of handicapped students (educable mentally retarded, learning disabled, and…

This curriculum guide has been developed to assist home and family life education teachers in identifying goals, course objectives, and supporting generalizations in the area of housing. The guide includes five program goals: (1) make decisions based on the relationship between housing and the environment; (2) make housing decisions based on…

Children begin school with some very basic ideas about written language and reading. The first is that of sign and message. That a graphic representation, a "sign," conveys meaning is an early and easy concept for children that stems from their visually attending to print in their environment. The realization that spoken language can be…

A literature review on the family environments of gifted students found that gifted children are more likely to be living in intact families than in divorced families. Children of single parents were more likely to be low-achieving, tardy, absent, truant, discipline problems, suspended, expelled, and dropouts than students in two-parent families.…

Teachers can and should use the insights of ethnographic research responsibly in their teaching. Ethnography is an attempt to understand cultures or parts of cultures from the point of view of those who participate in them. It is in the discontinuity between home and school uses of literacy that most ethnographers who study literacy locate the…

A proportion of abusive families are resistive to treatment and reabuse their children (various studies cite rates of 16 to 60 per cent). Factors associated with poor treatment outcome include persistent denial of abuse, lack of empathy, use of severe types of abuse, and previous violent acts. (Author/JDD)

Recent research suggests that home story reading by parents may be more effective than the traditional group story reading in preschools and primary classes. Teachers should provide young children with shared book experiences to stimulate literacy interests in a familiar context and relaxed setting. Cites 27 references. (MLH)

In an interview, Benjamin Bloom outlines his reasons for studying the development of immensely talented people. He feels his study can help educators understand how all students can be more successful. (MD)

Presents observations and suggestions for persons attempting to help talented and gifted youth develop their full potential. Journal articles and books containing useful information for parents and teachers concerning gifted education are presented in Appendix A. Appendix B lists information sources, national organizations, and names and addresses…

Aspects considered include cognitive and social development, the preschool prediction of learning disabilities, patterns of environmental processes in learning disabilities and mental retardation, environmental disadvantages, and biological determinants. (Author/DLS)

This paper outlines the objectives for a facilitator of a parent infant program working with Spanish-speaking families of hearing-impaired infants or toddlers. It is recommended that the early intervention program begin counseling in the parents' fluent language and introduce English gradually to both parents and infant, and provide support from…