The Bar-Ilan Picture Test for Young Children is a semi-projective device which was designed to fill a gap in the local diagnostic battery of the educational system. The test depicts realistic and meaningful situations which focus upon issues generally encountered in the educational environment of the young child. The demand characteristics of…

This study examines influences on the high reading achievement of two low-income, African American fifth graders, both girls, and both of whom lived with their grandmothers. Data came from interviews with the students, their teachers, and their custodial guardians and from observations of the students at school and at home. Results indicated that…

Conclusions from a study of 505 mothers in 9 rural southern Illinois counties are: (1) they prefer the home environment over a day care center environment; (2) if available, a majority would use day care; and (3) if good infant care were available, most would work outside the home because of need or desire. (LC)

This article discusses ways that racism affects child development, the historic racial experiences and reaction to them that has made it difficult for society to address racism, and the implications of racism and its history for the preparation and practice of early childhood professionals. (IAH)

This article summarizes views expressed to teacher education students who interviewed public school educators on the subject of social problems that stand in the way of meeting academic goals. These interviews were assigned as part of a unit in a course designed to provide a social foundation for teachers. (IAH)

Presents a case study of one preschooler's mathematical attitudes and strategies, along with a discussion of how the child's mother influenced and guided the preschooler's actions. Bedtime story reading and everyday gamelike activities are shown to be sources of natural mathematics in this particular home, where the mother is aware of and acts to…

Offers a framework for the analysis and evaluation of actions taken on behalf of children upon their environment. Examines defining suitable child development outcomes for intervention programs. Discusses poverty and prejudice, two examples of environmental conditions that threaten children's development. Summarizes the characteristics of a…

Summarizes study of children born in poverty on Kauai, Hawaii, focusing on resilience characteristics of the one-third of children who succeeded and became socially competent despite their poverty. Identifies resilience characteristics for infants, toddlers, and elementary school children, and for corresponding caregivers and caregiving…

This article examines the role of Canadian teachers and schools in cases of family violence and argues that the educative function requires viewing the child in the context of the family and community. Interdisciplinary curricula are described, and suggestions are provided for teaching all children nonviolent conflict resolution strategies.…

Describes the "Unpuffables Program" in which two states tested receptivity to and feasibility of a smoking prevention activity package for fourth through sixth graders and parents. High awareness and participation rates were seen, and "Unpuffables" provided an opportunity to discuss smoking at home, motivating smokers to…

Explores the often-negative impact homework assignments pose for students already short of time, and for their parents. Includes case vignettes and sidebars on the effects of poverty on homework environments, how technology will affect homework assignments, and treating homework as an opportunity rather than as a threat. (HTH)

A home school project was adapted from Crews' picture book Ten Black Dots. Students in four first grade classes engaged in diverse numeracy encounters in child-family interactive math learning exercises using children's literature bags. The planned activities met the K-4 Curriculum and Evaluation Standards of the National Council of Teachers of…

Investigates how culture might influence the choice and reading of children's texts to children. Describes a two-year, longitudinal, qualitative case study of the storybook experiences of a US-born Chinese girl, describing the social, moral, and literacy practices in her family (which included the girl, her parents, and her grandparents). (SR)

This article describes the Walden Toddler Program, a comprehensive early intervention model designed to be used for toddlers with autism in the natural environments of a child care center and children's homes. It reviews the program's philosophical foundations and describes key components of the model's incidental teaching. (Author/CR)

Student motivation is highly influenced by the general context in which the student lives, ranging from the norms and influences of the culture at large to the experiences within the family. For students who have high interest and passion on a selected task, motivation seems to be a very internal process. Without effort, the student persists in…