This article discusses the newly enacted Public Law 99-457, which mandates preschool special education, in the historical context of the implementation of Public Law 94-142. Provisions of the new law are summarized, and a variety of issues (such as interagency coordination) that the field needs to address are discussed. (Author/DB)

Analysis of 326 studies of early intervention efficacy indicated significant positive benefits for most children but little evidence to support some common beliefs (such as the superiority of very early intervention or the necessity for parental involvement). Application of the steps in the scientific method are recommended for such large scale…

Reports and discusses results of longitudinal and follow-up studies of the outcomes of an early training project for low-income Black children; findings indicate different program effects for Black males and Black females. (RH)

Discusses research and instances of children learning to read and or write in the home without formal instruction, tracing the development of such natural literacy. Argues that literacy is primarily a social process, involving both teaching and learning. (HTH)

As more mothers have entered the labor force, services for preschoolers have expanded rapidly, though somewhat haphazardly. Firm political and economic commitments must be made if organized child care is to meet parents' and children's needs. (Author/GC)

Reviewing recent British research and policy concerning preschoolers, the author criticizes the distinction made between "care" and "education." He advocates coordination of local services for children under five. (SJL)

The article provides a review of state services for young handicapped children. Section one contains a description of legislation for preschool handicapped education. Part two describes federal programs that relate to special children from birth to mandatory school age. Teacher certification requirements are reviewed in the third section. The…

Research has shown that preschool education is a sound investment--academically, socially, and economically. Offers some options for integrating the existing patchwork of U.S. public and private programs into a uniform system that provides a high-quality early education to all young children. (Contains 13 references.) (MLF)

Investigates research evidence that has been cited as supporting long-term benefits of preschool education. Compares preschool education with Britain's 11+ exam program. Proposes a theoretical framework for study of preschool programs that sees preschool not as an isolated educational strategy but as one element in children's transition into…

Describes issues and problems inherent in educational intervention for impoverished children. Discusses responsibility for intervention programs with minority groups, assumptions underlying intervention efforts, questions regarding intervention, creation of a psychosocial theory, and tasks involved with future intervention efforts. (RJC)

The variety of methods available for the assessment of hyperactivity in preschool populations is reviewed. Specific procedures for assessment are presented from a multidisciplinary perspective, integrating biophysical, behavioral, cognitive, and ecological models. (Author/JDD)

This paper reviews the role and practice of functional-status assessment in young children with neurological impairments, examines issues in selection of functional assessment measures, and describes functional assessment approaches developed in the fields of special education and pediatric rehabilitation, including adaptive scales,…

Presents evidence that human infants possess a mechanism for determining and representing small numbers of entities and procedures for operating on these representations to extract numerical relationships between them. Presents a model for this mechanism and discusses its relation to later numerical knowledge. Contains 42 references. (MKR)

This article reviews the literature on the relationship of otitis media with effusion (OME) during early childhood to intelligence, academic achievement, and classroom behavior during the preschool and primary school years. Guidelines for assessment, program planning, and intervention for the child with an active episode or past OME history are…

Examines approaches which have been successful in creating a humorous atmosphere in a Montessori class for 2- and 3-year olds, and reviews research findings with various ages and cross-cultural comparisons that contribute to an understanding of the role of humor in children's natural development. (Author)