Notes that ample evidence exists that standardized tests may not adequately reflect student achievement and may be harmful to the educational process and student development, especially for young children. Presents developmentally appropriate alternatives that are available for use in the classroom and on district and state levels. (Author)

Discusses five books (published between 1995 and 1998) intended for parents, teachers, and others as they participate with young children starting on the road to a love of reading. Discusses two books focusing on babies and preschoolers and three about literature in the primary grades. (SR)

Possible prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal causes of cerebral palsy are explored and a causal pathway theory is presented that provide a methodology to study the impact of the various causal factors. The role of an interdisciplinary team in assessment and program development is discussed and prevention strategies are presented. (Contains…

Studied structure of Stanford-Binet: Fourth Edition for normal children who were not part of standardization sample. Found that, for children aged 2-6 years, either 2- or 3-factor model could be supported. For students aged 7-11, neither of 2 models studied was supported. Alternative model with verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning,…

Research on pesticide exposure in infants and children has validated parents' concerns that children's bodies react differently than adults' to pesticides and that children eat differently, ingesting more fruits and vegetables. Article recommends breastfeeding and eating a variety of well-washed fruits and vegetables until more research is…

Dance Education can be considered an aspect of everyday living when using the correct definition of dance education. Rather than referring to the rarified form of movement that we encounter on the concert stage, dance education is the education of our moving selves with the goal as self expression. This can be initiated as an aspect of the initial…

A life-course perspective of the diagnostic histories of 75 autistic individuals (ages 4-25) was obtained through the use of parent surveys and a review of their charts. The study was made to understand better how children who presented with uneven or unusual behavioral development are identified as developmentally multihandicapped. Areas examined…

The following issues related to young handicapped and nonhandicapped gifted children are discussed: (1) identification methods; (2) procedures to evaluate the quality of identification and assessment plans; and (3) state guidelines regulating the identification of gifted children. Also presented are two programs illustrating effective procedures…

Reviews twelve experimentally-designed longitudinal studies of infant education programs. Suggests that the more intense programs, those that had more hours of contact with children and included parents and children, had more positive intellectual effects on the children, parent behaviors, and family life circumstances. (KH)

Summarizes major ideas of articles in special issue on infant intervention programs. Describes current assumptions about infant stimulation, differences between programs based on the populations they serve, and research findings on the efficacy of infant stimulation. Assesses the future of infant intervention. (KH)

Describes advantages of "time line" therapy with 5- to 8-year-old children with history of traumatic experiences. Therapist draws line and, beginning with child's birth, marks below line traumatic events (divorce, hospitalizations, death, accidents). Above line therapist marks child's developmental behaviors and feelings about events.…

Discusses an effort to critically evaluate research relevant to the education of children under five. The effort involved a report on the implications of the research for policy, practice, and further research. (Author/BB)

The rise in the number of children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is discussed and information is offered on behaviors signaling the need for referral in very young children. Positive and negative effects of medications are discussed, along with specific behavioral coping strategies for both home and group care. (Contains…

Gifted children are vulnerable to the following problems in growing up because they are different from other children: (1) myths surrounding giftedness; (2) unrealistic expectations; (3) pressure to perform; (4) constant criticism or praise; (5) pressure to conform; and (6) difficulties finding friends. (PS)

Reports on some of the major issues addressed during the l8th World Congress of OMEP (Organisation Mondiale de l'Education Prescolaire). Topics discussed included maternal and infant malnutrition; social dynamics in developing (and developed) countries; the messages of high technology for children and the quality of life. (BB)