This report describes phase 1 of a projected 2-phase project designed to investigate the feasibility of developing an interactive videodisc to teach math and science concepts to preschool handicapped children. A videodisc system is proposed that would allow children to manipulate real-world objects in order to acquire concrete knowledge about…

Research on selected early childhood education program elements was reviewed to determine the effects of these elements on children's academic and social development. Four influencing factors concerning academic effects were investigated: (1) home intervention; (2) preschool intervention; (3) kindergarten programs; and (4) socioeconomic factors.…

Examined are the interactions of parents and their children with developmental disabilities, focusing on the following aspects: social, emotional, language, communication, clinical, educational, and methodological. A partial listing of contents follows: "Determinants of Parent and Child Interactive Behavior" (Carl Dunst and Carol…

An 18-week demonstration, remediation project was undertaken to improve educational effectiveness for 14 preschoolers with minimal cerebral dysfunction. A literature search indicated that these children can be appropriately educationally programmed for their sensorimotor problems and suggested that such early intervention can prevent later…

The purpose of this report is to identify the issues that policy makers and practitioners ought to consider when formulating and establishing social policies and services for young children. The six chapters included are grouped according to three parts. Part 1 describes the context of social and family environments for children living in the…

This report documents a preliminary effort to compile, analyze, and present data relevant to the feasibility of implementing a comprehensive preschool program within the St. Louis public school system. Sections of the study aim to provide (1) definition of and perspective on preschool education, (2) determination of the demographic…

The paper reviews the history and current status of special education research and programs in New Zealand. Separate sections address studies of the preschool level (such as early intervention); school aged level (touching on such topics as parent involvement, eligibility criteria, and social development); and postschool level (on adjustment of…

Questions centered on the issue of how young children and others deal with gender and qustions focusing on gender development and developmental theory are posed. Numerous research findings bearing on the questions are reviewed. General topics addressed are the following: (1) classificatory discrimination of sex by physical cues, (2) gender…

The importance of parental attention in the facilitation of prereading skill development is examined in this paper. The first section presents a historical perspective on attitudes toward early childhood education, touching on the views of educators of past centuries and on recent trends in early childhood education in the United States. The…

The paper reviews the interaction between a young child and the school environment in the development of emotional and behavior problems. Research on empathy development, the impact of the teacher-child relationship, and effects on self concept of social relationships with peers are considered. The origin and achievements of the Child and Family…

This document provides an overview, in table form, of research pertaining to the effects of reading aloud to preschool children, and stresses the important benefits that reading aloud to children has on language development, reading interest, and social attitudes and values. A reference list is included to allow teachers to locate the 12 original…

Based on the assumption that the same conditions that promote talk in the preschool years might continue to promote oracy if they could be replicated in schools, this paper investigates conditions most likely to promote growth in oral communication, summarizes the findings of two relevant Australian research studies, and draws implications for…

Developmental intervention programs for infants with handicaps and their parents generally focus on preventing eventual developmental delays; changing the infants' behavior, development, or relationships with caregivers; or changing the family system. For each intervention purpose, exemplary programs are described. Issues related to efficacy and…

The roles of the child, family, sending and receiving teachers, and educational agencies are emphasized in this review of transition planning for handicapped children who are moving from special education preschool programs to mainstreamed kindergarten placements. Activities to encourage successful transitions and to support collaborative planning…

Human cognition research is shifting away from the importance of IQ and is emphasizing the stimulation and acceleration of a child's mental development. The emerging field of instructional psychology is trying to facilitate cognitive development. Current experimental programs--a university-school project in Belgium and a family project in…