This paper reports a longitudinal study of the mental health or pathology of a non-clinical population of 45 children from 4 to 6-years-old from an environment of economic, educational and cultural advantage. Data was collected annually on these children for a period of three years. Findings showed that the majority of children between four and…

One of a series of four symposium papers, this document deals with research issues in early childhood health and nutrition. Dr. A. Frederick North, Jr., presents an overview of research and emphasizes the importance of identifying children's health problems, using the most effective treatment and intervention techniques, and utilizing resources to…

In an attempt to better prepare young children for the challenges of kindergarten and first grade, the Supreme Court of New Jersey, in its 1998 landmark decision of "Abbott v. Burke" (Abbott V), required the State's poorest school districts to implement high quality, intensive preschool for all 3-and 4-year old children. To take…

Young White boys in three grade levels, across integrated and segregated classes, used greater projected personal space when they approached a Black child stimulus than when they approached a White child stimulus. Results agree with literature indicating racial attitudes are learned early. It is suggested that integrated classrooms, by themselves,…

Social-cognitive modes of play and peer responses were observed in two classrooms of 40 three-year-olds, two classrooms of 32 four-year-olds, and two classrooms of 36 three- and four-year-olds. Developmental differences appeared in play patterns in same-age but not in mixed-age classrooms. (TJH)

Many types of child care are available for young children of working parents. This article describes how to weigh the available options, what to look for in a day-care center, what to look for in a family day-care home, and how to work with the babysitter selected.(SM)

Held conversations with children in primary and nursery schools in England to determine the children's ideas about play, work, and learning. Children tended to see play as a social activity unrelated to learning and work as related to teacher-initiated tasks. (BC)

Describes the Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales, a standardized assessment for infants, toddlers and preschool children. It is designed to identify children at risk of developing a communication impairment and to establish a profile of functioning in the areas of communicative, social-affective, and symbolic abilities. (CR)

Examines early identification and intervention for students with learning disabilities in inclusive classrooms. Early signs of learning disabilities in motor, adaptive, communication and language, cognitive, and social-emotional skills are described. Techniques of functional assessment such as curriculum-based measurement, play assessment, and…

This investigation compared the performances of 24 African American children (mean age 6) with language impairments (LI) to typically developing African American peers on five traditional informal language assessment measures. Performances of the LI children were significantly lower on all measures than typically developing peers. Implications for…

Expands on an interview with a practicing teacher to examine the criteria used to decide how to incorporate computers into the preschool curriculum. Identifies and explores four areas of concern: equipment requirements; learning how to use the computer; learning how to manage the computer center; and choosing software. (DLH)

Argues that effective road safety education for young children needs to incorporate constructivist and socio-cultural perspectives on learning. Excerpts interviews with young children highlighting the variety of influences affecting children's road safety knowledge and examination of a road safety curriculum to illustrate the value of a dual…

Examined the relationship between mother's history of depression when their children were 0-3 years old and the child's subsequent early school adaptation, using teacher ratings of problem behaviors, peer relations, and academic performance of 5- to 8-year-olds. Found that maternal depression was related to more adjustment and behavior problems,…

This commentary reviews previous articles that discuss major educational approaches for young children with autism from the perspective of a parent with a child with autism. Considerations for parents in selecting an intervention and the need for more intervention information and resources for parents are addressed. (CR)

This commentary reviews previous articles that discuss major educational approaches for young children with autism from the perspective of a parent with a child with autism. The benefits of the Walden Program, an inclusive program for toddlers with autism and their typical peers, and of applied behavior analysis are discussed. (CR)