This study investigated the development of alphabet knowledge among 91 nonreading children followed from the beginning of kindergarten through the middle of first grade. Findings suggested that alphabet knowledge consists of both letter-name and letter-sound knowledge, which have different developmental patterns and which have unique importance…

A study examined the hypothesis that there would be no significant difference in first-grade reading achievement, in the first half of the school year, between children who attended kindergarten at an academic/formal type public school and children who attended kindergarten in an intellectual/experimental type private school. Subjects of the study…

To ascertain the prevalence of early school screening practices, the specific tests employed, and the use made of the test results, a survey was conducted of a representative sample of 980 school districts in the United States. (Author)

The extended day kindergarten (EDK) program in Detroit's 87 Chapter 1 schools in the 1984-85 school year was designed to serve children "least ready" for kindergarten, by providing a full day program 4 days per week. The fifth day of each week was reserved for inservicing teachers, school service assistants, and parents. Parents were…

This study examined the effects of using either object-form or paper/pencil versions of reading-readiness tests on the test scores of kindergarten children from low, middle, and high socioeconomic strata. Of 453 kindergarten students that were classified into the three socioeconomic strata, 35 boys and 35 girls were randomly selected from each…

Concern about typical early identification procedures used with kindergarten children to predict potential reading failure is expressed in this paper. A diagnostic procedure for screening kindergarten children and then prescribing an individualized program for each child is described. The screening battery--Prediction with Diagnostic Qualities…

The validity of introducing reading on the preschool level is the premise behind this study. The objective was to determine the effectiveness of the Categorical Sound System (CSS) developed by the author, as a highly structured linguistic-based readiness and beginning reading program, on kindergarten children from underprivileged and privileged…

There are many pros and cons to the recent trend of early reading. The opponents fear that too much emphasis on early reading may lead to a less rounded development of the child; they agree on providing the child with richer and more varied experiences to insure reading readiness. The advocates believe that today's children have already had more…

Research shows that kindergarten children can and do learn to read, but many questions about early instruction remain unanswered. (MKM)

This handbook offers a practical and comprehensive means of teaching and monitoring children's development of phonological awareness in the classroom. The handbook points out that studies have shown clearly that even informal phonological awareness activities, such as the natural and spontaneous word play found in stories, songs, and games, can…

Kindergarten children who were taught in a structured, sequential program achieved significantly more than kindergarten children taught the regular curriculum. (WY)