Three experiments assessed the intersensory redundancy hypothesis in early infancy. Findings indicated that habituation to a bimodal rhythm resulted in discrimination of a novel rhythm, whereas habituation to the same rhythm presented unimodally resulted in no evidence of discrimination. Temporal synchrony between the bimodal auditory and visual…

A five-step model intervention called "Sensational Thinking," which incorporates readiness, reception, reflection, revelation, and re-creation activities, was evaluated with four kindergarten classes. Experimental groups showed increased creativity over control groups in solving paradoxical problems. The study is seen as supporting the premise…

This paper studies aspects of the conceptual basis for language acquisition, with a focus on the perceptual-cognitive skills used to assign meanings to words. A first assumption is that the correspondence between adult and child perceptual features allows for early communication. Apparently, in the first year, naming is characterized by…

Investigates developmental changes in the accuracy of aimed movements made to an illuminated target lamp by children between the ages of 1.5 and 8 years. Shows accuracy decreased with decreasing availability of visual information and improved with age under all conditions. (HOD)

In order to determine if significant relationships exist among intersensory transfer ability, intersensory perceptual shifting ability, modal preference, and reading achievement, a study was conducted using 90 randomly selected Oconee County, Georgia, third graders whose mean IQ was 98 and whose mean reading comprehension was grade 3.…

The purpose of this research study was to compare two kinds of perceptual training for kindergarteners. A control group was grouped for instruction in visual or auditory perception. The children whose weaker modality was auditory received an "Open Court" program which stressed the acquisition of phonetic skills. The Frostig-Horne program was given…

This study examines the relationship between development of a child's ability to coordinate perspective and his ability to conceptualize spatial relations on a map. One hundred and four school children from inner city, urban fringe, and suburban schools, grades K-6, were administered a Test of Coordination of Perspectives and a Test of Map…

This report, arising from a 1991 meeting, provides an update to two of the six areas covered in the 1989 long-term plan of the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. These include: (1) balance and the vestibular system; and (2) language and language impairments. For each area, the state of the art is reviewed, recent…

This study investigated the relationship between intramodal and intermodal information processing and performance on traditional age appropriate tests of spatial and perceptual-motor abilities. The ability of 65 normal kindergarten, first grade and second grade children to match to either a tactile or a visual standard was assessed with a modified…

The purpose of this study was to see if a change in environment affected the rate of sensorimotor development in infants. First a control group of institutionally-reared infants aged 1 to 6 months was observed to determine average age of visually directed reaching, visual exploration, visual accommodation, and the blink response. Then the…

Presents an interview with Susan Lederman that contains a fascinating and informative overview of the recent developments in neuropsychological research concerning the sense of touch. Discusses the physiological processes that support this sensory experience and reveals them to be much more flexible, intricate, and adaptive than previously…

A volume in the "Dimensions in Early Learning Series" this monograph proposes suggestions for parents and teachers to supplement normal classroom procedures in the area of visual learning. Chapter I concludes that a child's development of visual skills is directly influenced by inborn tendencies, physical characteristics, and environmental…

Outlines a simple classroom demonstration that illustrates Piagetian conservation. Piagetian conservation refers to the illusion of an increase in mass by changing an object's form. This demonstration, done by forming an ellipse with an extension cord, shows that college students are as susceptible to this effect as are young children. (MJP)

The program activities, curriculum, and evaluation of the Pennsylvania Research in Infant Development and Education (PRIDE) Project are described in this report. The project is an educational effort to accelerate the development of children, 12-52 months of age, by providing developmentally enriching experiences in a controlled environment which…