Describes a school for mentally retarded preschoolers in Beijing, China, that helps young children and their parents. (PCB)

Issues related to family assessment as part of early intervention programs with handicapped children are reviewed and the need for a family needs assessment as a first step in developing family focused interventions is stressed. Suggestions for the design, selection, and use of a needs assessment are made. (Author/DB)

Discusses the need for family involvement in preschool education. Presents data from questionnaires on problem children and their families. (JMB)

Explores implications of interdisciplinary findings in an attempt to: (1) identify family practices and behaviors that contribute to preschool obesity; and (2) suggest effective obesity control strategies that can guide family-oriented nutrition education and counseling efforts. (JN)

Discusses the development and philosophy of parent-infant education programs provided by Washington State community colleges and vocational technical schools consisting of parent-participation classes and cooperative preschools for 10,000 families. Describes program at Seattle Community College. (BF/JH)

The Boston Public Schools (BPS) Department of Early Childhood commissioned a needs assessment of current kindergarten (K2) and preschool (K1) programs (1) to inform the BPS Department of Early Childhood about professional development needs to improve the quality of existing K1 and K2 programs; and (2) to inform the Department of additional…

The final report lists accomplishments of a 3-year federally funded project to identify and serve gifted handicapped preschool children. Procedures and outcomes are set forth for objectives in each of the following areas: services to children, services to families, staff development, and demonstration and dissemination. (CL)

This conference summary presents the views of five early childhood special education professionals, each of whom recommended one child outcome measure and one family outcome measure for use in a typical early childhood special education program serving children from birth to five years with a range of handicapping conditions. (Author/JW)

This study attempted to ascertain commonalities and differences in critical program practices among nationally known, validated educational programs for young children with autistic spectrum disorders. Areas of agreement among programs included early intervention, individualization, specialized curriculum, family involvement, systematic…

To raise the achievement of every student, Maryland designed "Achievement Matters Most," a plan for public schools that sets goals in the areas of achievement, teaching, testing, safety, and family involvement in schools. Achievement Matters Most supports Maryland schools' efforts to meet the goals of the federal No Child Left Behind…

This article discusses: the concept of team interaction as it relates to early intervention with young special needs children, the evolution of the family's role on the team, and principles and practices for team development of the Individualized Family Service Plan. Examples of exemplary family-focused principles and practices are provided. (JDD)

This "Indicator of the Month" presents data on early literacy experiences in the homes of American children. In addition to data tables, key findings are summarized in the text. Key findings are: (1) in 1996, more than 80 percent of children ages 3-5 were read to three or more times or told a story in the past week by a parent or family member,…

Models of collaboration among disciplines and among agencies have been developed in the early intervention field in response to the need for service coordination for young special needs children and their families. Case management is seen as a mechanism for effectively coordinating these services, and encompasses the tasks of assessing client…

A QUESTIONNAIRE WAS ADMINISTERED TO A REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE COMPOSED OF PARENTS OF 50 CHILDREN (TWO PUPILS RANDOMLY SELECTED FROM EACH OF 25 HEAD START CLASSES). COMPILED FROM THE QUESTIONNAIRE, STATISTICS ARE REPORTED CONCERNING (1) REASONS FOR ENROLLMENT OF CHILDREN, (2) DEGREE OF PARENT INVOLVEMENT, (3) PARENTS' PERCEPTION OF THE HELP GIVEN…

Describes Missouri's programs for early childhood education. Programs range from day care in the inner-city schools of Kansas City to classrooms on wheels that carry teachers and materials to children and their families in rural areas. Heavy stress is placed on helping parents. (Author/JF)