The results of five studies dealing with the social and educational characteristics of Appalachian families of young children are presented as a planning base for home-oriented education. Four of the studies assessed: (1) the educational and occupational attributes of parents, (2) the availability and usage patterns of television and radio by children and parents, (3) the ability of parents to follow printed instructions of specified readings levels (second, fourth, and eighth grades) and different presentation styles, and (4) the competencies which parents expected their children to possess by six years of age. These studies were conducted in 1974 through home visits by paraprofessionals to a single sample of 699 families living in selected areas of seven states. The fifth study was a re-analysis of U.S. Census data pertaining to the parent population. Among the findings were indications that about one-fourth of the parents were unable to use materials prepared at a second grade reading level, that more than 91 percent of the mothers had at least an eighth grade education, that more than 96 percent of the families in non-urban Applalchia had television sets, but that less than 78 percent of the families had telephone service. Data are presented in tabular and narrative form; a typical Appalachian family of 1970 is described. Implications of the studies for the planning of home-hased programs are suggested. (CW)