Young children learn best through hands-on, authentic experiences that motivates, stimulates and supports their growth in all areas of development. This includes the skills necessary to enhance their literacy and language acquisition, physical and cognitive development in addition to their social-emotional development and approaches to learning.…

This dissertation portfolio is comprised of three first-authored pieces of writing that investigate the oral language and emergent literacy development of Spanish-speaking children with specific language impairment (SLI). Each piece features a unique but complementary aim. The first study investigates group differences on a battery of emergent…

This article presents essential ideas from various people on how to cultivate healthy childhood. Amelia Gambetti says that in terms of young children, the element of complexity offers to them the possibility to have an opportunity to learn how to think and to generate ideas. Diane Levin shares how a three-year-old kid taught her that children do…

Providing entertainment and recreation at home and in the classroom, this book presents over 125 verbal, visual, and logic puzzles which may also enhance problem-solving abilities and improve language skills. The games in the book are arranged in chapters: (1) Picture Puzzles; (2) Word Play; (3) Games and Trivia; (4) Mystery, Logic, and Numbers;…

This paper examines the impact of the level of activity of an individual as a child on the activity level of that individual as an adult. The study is based on a stratified random sample of adult residents in 6 rural Iowa counties regarding 35 outdoor recreation activities. Five hypotheses were tested. The results indicate a direct effect of the…

leadership training for teen-agers, offered through the University of Missouri Extension Division, prepares teens to plan and teach six-lesson summer courses in practical skills to younger children in their own neighborhoods or in camps. Plans are approved by Extension Centers, each completed lesson reported, and Teen Teacher Diplomas awarded. (AJ)

Examined travel time in the family car as an opportunity for young children to use distant time referents in their talk with parents. Results supported preschoolers' tendency to talk predominantly about the here-and-now in most settings, but highlights factors that may contribute to children's increased use of decontextualized talk about past and…

Explains why free-choice time, also called child-initiated time, is an essential daily part of all Head Start programs. Children have the freedom to initiate their own activities among the learning centers in the classroom, allowing them to develop their intellectual abilities, find solutions to problems, explore, inquire, and become adept at…

Conversations of nine preschool children were tape recorded as they traveled home from school. Analysis indicated that, overall, the children spoke most often about the here and now. Most references to the past or to school projects occurred during the first five minutes of travel. References to future events occurred more often during the latter…

The impact of informal learning on young children in the course of their play activities is discussed. A major objective is to emphasize that informal learning can help lay the base for multiculturalism in elementary education. It enables children from different cultural backgrounds to relate to and understand each other through play activities…

Based on the premise that children need to be motivated to learn in school to achieve success, this guide is intended for parents who want to help their children realize the benefits of learning and knowledge. The guide offers effective methods for challenging and supporting children at school and throughout their lives, provide insights into how…

Approximately 100 national spelling bee finalists and their parents were surveyed concerning their early literacy experiences and spelling practices. The fourth-eighth grade spellers showed an early interest in language activities; passed through developmental spelling stages earlier than average; and mastered words via visual memory strategies,…

The booklet presents 15 articles describing innovative social studies materials and teaching techniques. It was designed to help classroom teachers develop and implement social studies programs at the elementary school level. The materials were developed by teachers in education programs at the University of North Dakota from 1968-77. The first…