The literature on autism describes many different types of therapy techniques and teaching strategies. Most are interventions that help a child with autism move from one developmental level to the next and learn to manage his or her behavior. Although important, such strategies and therapies do not examine how a family's cultural practices may…

The two most influential environments in which young children develop are their homes and their early childhood education programs. In 2005, 60 percent of all U.S. children under age 6 spent some time in the care of persons other than their parents, including 62 percent of White children, 69 percent of Black children, and 49 percent of Hispanic…

Two preschool educational settings were studied to learn whether children with different economic and ethnic backgrounds use a classroom in different ways. The observations described suggest that the optimum preschool either for low-income children or for a heterogeneous group is one that consistently offers a spectrum of structures, and freedom…

Describes the spiritual or "soulful" aspects of Afro-American culture and indicates its relationship to the cognitive development of Black children. Points out conflicts that result when Black children are evaluated from an Anglo-centric framework. (Author/RH)

Discusses how the early childhood program environment can be more sensitive to biracial children of black and white heritage. Considers the history of blacks in the United States; ethnic identity development in biracial children; and planning the early childhood environment, including structuring the curriculum, securing information about the…