The original concept of the kindergarten, developed in the 1800s, involved guiding and structuring children's play rather than attempting formal instruction. The kindergarten served as a transition from the home to the school environment. During the twentieth century kindergartens have been seen increasingly as tools to be used for shaping…

The article reports the effects of step-by-step integration of four cognitively and/or behaviorally handicapped preschool children in a day care program designed to serve nonhandicapped children. Results were mixed. Journal availability: see EC 133 846. (Author)

A comparison of students on a standardized behavioral checklist and follow-up observations examined underidentification of behavioral disorders in preschoolers attending licensed daycare settings. (Author/CL)

Compared parents' perceptions of child care quality to those of researchers. Found that parents highly valued all aspects of care, especially interactions, health, and safety. Parents rated the quality of their children's care significantly higher than did observers. Quality scores differed greatly when parental values increased, and smaller…

Responses of day care and home care children to an adult dropping items, banging her knee, giving the children opportunity to leave the larger of two prizes for a peer, and asking for donation to sick children were compared. Prosocial reasoning in these 47- to 75-month-old children was assessed via their responses to stories in which help was…

Examines state financial commitment to child care and early education. Indicates that levels of commitment vary widely, are inadequate to serve many children and families in need, and depend more on state "will" than on state resources. Points out that states give child care and early education a low priority. Suggests that increased…

Teachers in three day care programs completed temperament questionnaires and behavior problem checklists for 133 preschoolers. Results indicated that correlations between temperament and behavior problem variables were generally higher for boys than for girls. (BG)

Compares cooperative behavior and peer competence of 45 children of 4 years who had attended private day care or been reared at home. Results revealed no significant differences. (RJC)

This study involved observation of 4- and 5-year-olds in a day care setting, focusing on how they developed and maintained friendships with other children in day care. Children were observed twice a day for 3 weeks as they engaged in outdoor play, dramatic play, and manipulative play. Observations included which children played with each other and…

This study investigated the gross motor development of children at two day care centers, one with a movement-oriented physical education program and the other with an unstructured free play period. Also studied were the biological factors of age and sex. A total of 146 children were tested during a 3-year period. During the last two years,…

Compensation of day care workers in the State of New York was investigated in a study involving 451 day care centers, Head Start programs, and nursery schools representing 4,844 employees. Data for New York City and the rest of New York were analyzed separately. In New York State, head teachers earned an average of $5.33 per hour and classroom…

This report presents evaluations of 25 early learning materials kits, designed for use with young children in nursery school, kindergarten, and day care centers. Each evaluation includes: a physical description of the kit (with cost information), the target audience, content and objectives, methods of use, conditions of use, rationale, research…

Observation of 39 preschool maltreated children from 13 child care facilities revealed that ratings of the quality of care were significantly correlated with the children's social competence in child care. Aspects of social behavior were related to program organization, physical facilities, traits of the caregiver, and caregiver expectations.…

Discusses young children's adaptation to out-of-home care with regard to both immediate and long-term effects. Presents results of two studies that illustrate alternative research strategies and address substantive issues concerning the effects of out-of-home care on the behavior and quality of adaptation of young children. (Author/NH)

This study investigated the provision of all-day child care for preschool children in Scotland, asking: (1) What patterns of activity and behavior occur in the variety of settings where 3- and 4-year-olds have all-day provision? (2) What counts as a satisfactory all-day experience from the perspective of providers, practitioners, parents, and…