The development of the Conversational Unit (CU) was investigated in a semilongitudinal study of three mother/son dyads in nonstructured spontaneous communication. The children were 19 to 23 months old at the start of the investigation. Sound films were recorded monthly during bathing and feeding times. After four months, verbal and nonverbal…

The document presents the sixth progress performance report for 1978-1979 and a final outreach report (focusing on demonstration activities) for 1976-1979 for the Schaumburg (Illinois) Early Education Center (SEEC), a Piaget based early education program for 3 to 5 year olds with developmental delays in the following areas: language,…

A study of economically disadvantaged children in free play nursery contexts provided further evidence for the cross-cultural applicability of Schaefer's three-dimensional scheme in assessing classroom competencies. Several implications of the configurational approach are a new way of thinking about competence measurement, its differentiated…

This monograph relates the numerous problems involved in developing an experimental community named Lake Village in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Formulated by several psychologists, the experiment is an off-shoot of a conference on alternative communities held in Racine, Wisconsin, in 1966. The community centers around an educational strategy that would…

This document is the fourth and final part of a comprehensive study designed to review child development data and program evaluation data so that proposals for Federal program planning can be made. This section (Volume 4) provides a summary of the topics, findings, and recommendations of the other three parts of the study. (DP)

The rationale for a national investment in early childhood learning, the needs to be met, and the costs are discussed. A number of current program models, diagnostic service centers, programs for parent education, and preparent programs at the secondary and college levels are described. Research studies and findings about different early childhood…

Case studies of seven Home Start programs are given as the third section of an evaluation study. Communities involved are Huntsville, Alabama; Fairbanks, Alaska; Fort Defiance, Arizona; Dardanelle, Arkansas; Wichita, Kansas; Gloucester, Massachusetts; and Reno, Nevada. Although each study varies in format, each describes in detail the degree and…

Case studies of eight Home Start programs are given as the third section of an evaluation study. Communities involved are Binghamton, New York; Franklin, North Carolina; Cleveland, Ohio; Harrogate, Tennessee; Houston, Texas; Weslaco, Texas; Millville, Utah; Parkersburg, West Virginia. Although each study varies in format, each describes in detail…

The second phase of the study of social skills development in the Appalachia Preschool Education Program is presented. A standardized situation in which children would have an opportunity to demonstrate those skills was devised. Three treatment groups were included in the program. Sex of the child was used as a factor. One purpose of this study…

The sample for the 1975 field test of the Barber Scales of Self-Regard for Preschool Children came from Episcopal schools distributed widely by geographical area. The instrumentation included, besides the self-regard scales, the Self-Concept and Motivation Inventory and the Minnesota Personality Profile II, plus a demographic questionnaire. The…

The Psychoeducational Profile (PEP) offers a developmental approach to the assessment of autistic and psychotic children as well as children with related learning disabilities. Scores obtained are used in the planning of individualized special educational programs for these children. Most appropriately used with children functioning at a preschool…

How Czechoslovakians are trying to deal with the problem of educational failure and pupils' under-achievement in the elementary grades is discussed. For examples, a new comprehensive kindergarten system has been introduced, child development is carefully analyzed at the pre-school level, special educational classes are provided, and leisure clubs…

These hearing transcripts present testimony on removing barriers that may impede the successful integration of Head Start with other programs that serve to prepare disadvantaged children for success. It begins with the prepared statements of Honorable Michael N. Castle, Chairman, Subcommittee on Education Reform, Committee on Education and the…

In this position statement, the National Association of Early Childhood Specialists in State Departments of Education asserts that recess is an essential component of education and that preschool and elementary school children must have the opportunity to participate in regular periods of active, free play with peers. The statement summarizes…

The development in the last decade of methodology for measuring and scaling household food insecurity and hunger in U.S. populations makes possible systematic examination of the ways in which hunger and food insecurity affect individuals and families. The impact on children has always been of primary concern for policy, advocacy, and science…