Absent a nationwide plan for universal public prekindergarten, states and districts have taken various approaches to increasing access to school-based educational opportunities for their youngest learners. Though some of these programs have focused on making public prekindergarten available to all families, others have targeted families most in…

This study explored the effects of children's cultural group on the content of their dramatic and sociodramatic play. After defining play, dramatic play, sociodramatic play, and culture, observations were conducted by a preschool teacher of Latino-American and first-generation African-American 4-year-olds over an 8-week period. Play that was…

Examined the effects of maternal age on the well-being of children using hospital records and home interviews with 282 low-income, Black and Hispanic mothers of children 2 to 4 years old. There was little variation in these outcomes by age of mother and few significant differences. (JAC)

This bibliography of cross-cultural materials contains 437 bibliographic citations of journal articles, books, government reports, court cases, and bibliographies of interest to rural special educators. Major topical areas are bilingual exceptional children (136 items) and culturally diverse exceptional children (135 items). Other topics include…

Examines conditions that influence Latino families' decision making regarding choices of preschool child care, investigating why they forgo preschooling and summarizing low-income Latina mothers' views. The study found that though there were factors common to all ethnic groups, there was also a relationship between Latino parenting practices and…

This practicum attempted to increase the number of minority elementary students in prekindergarten through grade 5 found eligible for placement in a gifted program by enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the screening instruments and by providing inservice training to increase the understanding of gifted characteristics and program…

This study examined the relationship between the security of preschool children's attachment relationship to their parents and how they negotiated and managed hypothetical conflict with peers. Participating were 66 preschool-age children recruited from child care facilities and residing in a large urban area in the southeastern United States. The…

Compares parents' knowledge of behavioral capabilities of young children in a sample of low-income Hispanic, Black, and Anglo communities. Results indicate foreign-born Hispanics, more than other groups, perceive children's motor skills and language abilities as developing at later age. Discusses implications for social programs. (Author/TES)

The purpose of this book is to help librarians develop high quality video, audio, and CD-ROM collections for preschool through high school learning with titles that reflect the ethnic heritage and experience of the diverse North American population, primarily African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans. The more…

The study examined whether a relationship exists between cultural background (Caucasian, Hispanic, or Black) and families' attitudes toward educational programming for a family member with severe disabilities. Useable surveys were returned by 91 respondents out of the 103 of 337 families (31%) to whom surveys had been distributed. The 40-item…

This paper provides demographic information on California preschool-age children and their preschool attendance. Data sections, with tables, are: (1) "Number of Children Not in Pre-School or Kindergarten"; (2) "Latino, Asian, and African American Children Are Less Likely To Have Gone to Pre-School"; and (3) "Children of…

Examined low socioeconomic-status (SES) preschool classrooms for teacher perceptions of children and teacher/child interactions as a function of ethnicity. Hispanic teachers described Hispanic boys as having high levels of difficulty; they engaged in high levels of interaction with them. Perceptions of girls were more positive and less influenced…

Children who inherit sickle cell disease, primarily African Americans and Hispanics, are at risk for serious medical conditions and require special care both at home and in school. Sickle cell disease is recognized as an "Other Health Impairment" and identified students may be eligible for special education services under the Individuals…

A study explored the effectiveness of "rap music" as a method of instruction for urban preschool children. It was hypothesized that urban preschool children would learn more new content (10 unfamiliar names of body parts) in a classroom environment through the use of rap music for instruction, than would children who received instruction…

The Lollipop Test (La Prueba Lollipop) is a bilingual preschool readiness test (in both English and Spanish) that has been the subject of a number of studies to assess validity and detect cultural bias. Such studies have not dealt with item analysis as a way to measure cultural fairness. The Rasch model was used in a study of the Lollipop test…