The use of standardized instruments has demonstrated the ineffectiveness of traditional educational programs in providing optimum learning situations for large numbers of children with diversified backgrounds. Consequently, many new innovative programs have been designed and implemented for preschool children. However, it has become apparent that…

This report presents the results of a study from July 1965 to July 1969 on the effects of year-long prekindergarten programs for disadvantaged children involving eight school districts in New York State and approximately 1,800 children. The study focused on factors which the schools considered important and major objectives of their programs.…

This study's purpose was to develop and evaluate programs based on psycholinguistic theory for rural black disadvantaged 4-year-olds. The treatment conditions, administered in mobile labs, were (1) a 9-month general enrichment curriculum, GE (N=8 comparatively advantaged white children), (2) a 3-month structured Peabody curriculum, P3 (N=8…

The care of preschool migrant children in day care and preschool centers in central New York State was studied. The aim of this study was to provide individuals, institutions, state and local educational and social agencies with current descriptive data as well as recommendations for conducting such centers. Major objectives were to: identify…

The rationale of some current intervention projects that are designed to supply some environmental nurture (affective and cognitive) is discussed. Some major approaches used in these projects and problems related to early intervention are examined. Head Start and Montessori programs are omitted. Strategies utilized in the programs discussed…

Initiated in October 1970, the program trained teachers to use an individualized teaching approach to teach a cross-age range of children in a small group (six to eight children). Over the winter, the teachers received intensive training with the expectation that during the mobile phase they would be required to work with the children in isolated…

Two Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Title I project components for the Maui District, Hawaii are evaluated in this report. These are the reading resource rooms and the preschools. This report makes the following recommendations: follow-through instructional services should be carried into the target pupils' regular classrooms; a…

Presented is the final report on the first year's activities of the Ochlocknee Multi-Handicapped Outreach Project to develop services for handicapped children (0-8 years old). It is noted that the project's first goal focuses on providing demonstration and dissemination of project information, outreach support, and replication services. A second…

The present study was designed to assess the preschool's contribution to the social, physical, and cognitive development of children in a normal, upper-middle socioeconomic level community. (BD)

The effects of the Individualized Curriculum Sequencing (ICS) model on acquisition and generalization of skills by two severely handicapped preschoolers were evaluated. Results preliminarily supported the efficacy of the ICS model. Criterion performance and generalization across novel classroom activities and materials were evident for four of…

Evaluates the Perry Preschool Project, precursor of the Head Start program for disadvantaged black children. The program generated short-term IQ gains and long-term gains in attendance, academic achievement, graduation rates and earnings, and reduced transfer payments and pregnancies. The program returns $24,000 per student, benefiting both…

Evaluates model infant intervention programs, including those that focus on infant tutoring, infant group care, and parent involvement. Presents an overview of theoretical and research bases of infant programs, offers recommendations for evaluation of projects, and discusses the motivations and emotional needs of staff members. (KH)

Children, parents, and child caregivers are vulnerable to several infectious diseases as a result of contact with child care centers. This pilot program, implemented in a rural county in a southeastern state, was designed to enhance knowledge and skills related to improved hygiene practices in a child care setting. The target audience for the…

This digest focuses on strategies for reaching families and increasing family literacy that reflect the strengths families already have. The Federal Even Start Family Literacy Program, authorized in 1988, is the catalyst for much of the family literacy activity nationally. Funded programs must adhere to Even Start's core organizational curriculum,…

In order to better understand the role of child-centered learning strategies in creating democratic, collaborative behaviors for states of the former Soviet Union, this study evaluated the impact of Step by Step, an early childhood development program in Bulgaria, Kyrgyzstan, Romania, and Ukraine. The study compared educational performance and…