This study sought to understand how South African Sotho and Zulu children learn and communicate at home. Data were collected from 80 homes of 5-year-olds through observation and supplemented by audiotaped sessions. The analysis sought to identify the social rules and constraints governing the amount, style, and content of the information…

This short booklet describes Montessori preschool methods, materials, and environments. The booklet provides background on Maria Montessori and highlights her commitment to facilitating the self-creating process of the child. Preschool years are described as being critical in that they are the peak of children's ability to absorb all that is going…

This theme issue contains six articles on improving math and science education for minority group students, particularly language-minority students. "Accelerating Content Area Gains for English Language Learners" (Laura Chris Green) describes the Young Scientists Acquiring English project, which seeks to improve the content-area…

The question of what sorts of measures are required to overcome differences between African American and other students is addressed. It is suggested that none are required, and that African American children will reach their potential when the ashes that historically and presently stunt their development are removed. The author's descriptions of…

To determine the effects of teacher training on day caregivers' instructional methods and to examine children's learning behaviors during training, a study was conducted of 5 African-American caregivers and 60 children from low income families in an urban day care center. The caregivers participated over a 2-year period in the W. E. Think training…

This guide is designed to assist families and service providers with developing individualized family service plans (IFSPs) for families of children (birth to 3) in Connecticut who exhibit characteristics of pervasive developmental disorder (PDD), autism, or related disorders. Sections address the following topics: terminology, early…

Cultural diversity in the classroom provides the opportunity for children to learn about the customs, clothes, and languages of other countries. Various art forms offer a vehicle for boys and girls to communicate in nonverbal play. A "two-faced" happy-sad puppet provides a nonverbal means for very young or nonnative speaking children to indicate…

These instructional materials are designed to provide personnel developers and trainers with resources that can be used to improve the performance of paraeducators working in center-based and home visitor programs for young children with disabilities from birth to age 5. The modules cover: (1) roles of paraeducators working in inclusive…

This report describes a course on early childhood education methodology and practice that was held at Machakos, Kenya, for 28 Kenyan early childhood teachers, social workers, and teacher educators. In addition to presenting developmental profiles of preschool children, the 12-day course addressed language enrichment activities as precursors to…

The Statewide Systems Change Project for the Severely Handicapped was a federally funded project established to develop activities to improve the quality of special education and related services for learners with severe handicaps and to encourage a change in service delivery from segregated to integrated environments. The project identified best…

In a search for effect dissemination methods for parent training programs, a videocassette program was developed as an alternative to traditional, professionally led programs to train parents in teaching self-help skills to their developmentally disabled children. Effectiveness of the videocassette approach was tested when 55 families in Los…

The goal of instruction in mainstream dialect (MD) acquisition should be to expand students' oral communication skills to include skills needed for academic and economic success, thereby making alternate dialect speakers bidialectic. This implies recognizing students' home dialect as a valid linguistic system and a part of their identity. Although…

These learning activities are intended to help elementary school children learn how to communicate, cooperate, and prevent or solve conflicts through creative thinking. There are 17 chapters. The first five chapters provide background information for teachers, discussing the Children's Creative Response to Conflict (CCRC) Program, ways to create a…

To aid "at risk" students in their transition from school into meaningful employment and a quality adult life, this handbook lists and describes California programs and services that are in wide use and have broad support. The handbook is divided into three sections, covering preschool through eighth grade, ninth through twelfth grade,…

The Special Education Training and Resource Center Program (SETRC) provided training to elementary and secondary school personnel, paraprofessionals, and parents, with the major goal of helping teachers provide quality instruction and augment student learning. Training for elementary/secondary school personnel focused on effective instructional…