The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a preschool emergent literacy enrichment curriculum. Participants were 126 Head Start children, their teachers, and their parents. Matched centers were assigned to 1 of 3 conditions: experimental literacy, experimental math, or control. Teachers in both experimental groups implemented…

This document is designed to assist administrators and teachers in developing high quality pre-kindergarten programs which comply with Chapter 1 regulations and guidelines. Information is provided on administration, design, and implementation of programs for disadvantaged young children, as well as on appropriate instructional practices for…

Compared to other children, Mexican-American children seem less responsive in test-taking and classroom situations. This behavior may be due to a generalized tendency to be conservative risk-takers. This study investigates aspects of this problem by testing four hypotheses: (1) that Mexican-American preschoolers would take fewer chances on a…

This study tests the hypothesis that compared to middle class children, disadvantaged preschoolers would be relatively more deficient in their ability to apply standard morphological rules to nonsense words than to meaningful words. The hypothesis was proven. (Author/EK)

The effects of 4 months of gymnostic training upon complex and simple gross motor abilities and general cognitive and psychosocial functioning in 4-year-olds were compared with the effects of music training and no treatment. (WY)

The reliability and validity properties of the Brigance K&1 screen were examined with a sample of 134 Head Start children preparing to enter kindergarten. Prediction/outcome analyses, intended to explore the test's accuracy in predicting special-education status at the end of preschool, indicated a relatively high false negative rate and a…

The efficacy of three behavior management techniques used in a Head Start classroom was examined. The three techniques included: (a) techniques currently used by the teacher, (b) response cost, and (c) the Level System (token economy). The current study used an ABACA single subject withdrawal design with follow-up where all conditions were…

Teachers administered the Communication Development subtest of the Developmental Assessment of Young Children (DAYC-CD) to 24 children attending Head Start to examine the usefulness of the instrument as a teacher-administered language-screening instrument. Teachers administered the test by observing the children in the classroom. Test results for…

"Dialogic Reading" is an interactive shared picture book reading practice designed to enhance young children's language and literacy skills. During the shared reading practice, the adult and the child switch roles so that the child learns to become the storyteller with the assistance of the adult, who functions as an active listener and…

Two major questions were explored by this study: "Will the use of socio-dramatic play increase the use of language?" and, "Will the use of language in fantasy play transfer to a cognitive task?" Results affirmatively answer these questions. (Author)

Disadvantaged children were tested on the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test in their own homes or away from home in an office or schoolroom. The overall testing environment was a significant factor influencing the test performance of disadvantaged children who had not attended a Head Start program. Head Start children performed equally well in both…