ANY ECLECTIC READING PROGRAM MUST BE BASED ON (1) AN UNDERSTANDING OF HOW THE TACTILE, AUDITORY, AND VISUAL SYSTEMS DEVELOP IN EACH CHILD, (2) A KNOWLEDGE OF THE AVAILABLE AND USABLE READING APPROACHES, AND (3) AN ASSESSMENT OF THE COMPONENTS OF EFFECTIVE INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES. INDIVIDUAL DIAGNOSIS AND TRAINING IS MANDATORY. A VISUAL…

After reviewing the history of communication through the skin, this paper considers recent research into the problem of cutaneous stimulation induced both mechanically and electrically. The general demands of a cutaneous communication system are discussed, and four primary dimensions of cutaneous stimulation are summarized (locus, intensity,…

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the perceptual processes involved in haptic exploration of randomly generated shapes. Experiment one required subjects to detect symmetrical or asymmetrical characteristics of individually presented plastic shapes, also varying in complexity. Scanning time for both symmetrical and asymmetrical shapes…

The development of children's capacity to induce spatial relations between locations in a space was investigated in this study. The sample consisted of 60 children, 20 in each of three age groups: 3-4, 5-6, and 7-8 years of age. The children were trained to move one hand from a home base to each of three target positions. The positions were…

THE IMPACT OF TWO TREATMENTS OF LEARNING EXPERIENCES ON THE ABILITIES OF PRESCHOOL CHILDREN WERE STUDIED. THE LEARNING EXPERIENCES INVOLVED PRINCIPLES OF HAPTIC (TACTUAL) PERCEPTION IN THE PERFORMANCE OF VARIOUS TASKS. CHILDREN, AGES 3 THROUGH 5, FROM HIGH AND LOW ECONOMIC LEVELS WERE SELECTED AS SUBJECTS. AN ANALYSIS WAS MADE OF THEIR HAPTIC…

A study was initiated with 60 blind children (kindergarten through grade 2) in order to validate the order of a sequence of tactual discrimination tasks leading to the use of braille and the Optacon. Ss were tested with tasks designed for the readiness level (discrimination of large solid geometric shapes, flat puzzle pieces, embossed dot…

Describes the activities a teacher used at summer camp to acquaint blind children with nature. Discusses the similarities and differences between blind children and children with sight. (RL)

Explored are the possibilities of using amplification in three sensory modes (audition, vision, and touch) in the education of the aurally handicapped. (BD)

A review of the research indicates that Fernald's technique (VAKT) for learning to read and spell is effective in some, but not all, instances. (MKM)

Describes the school-related activities and the components of a week-long science camp program which aims to develop reading and science skills and to heighten each student's sensorial awareness. (GO)

Describes two experiments that examined whether the amplitude of the human eyeblink by a mild tap between the eyebrows can be increased if a brief tone is presented simultaneously with the tap and how these effects change from newborn infants to adults. (HOD)

Determines whether early hemispheric differences exist in tactual processing by testing infants and preschoolers on six cross-modal tasks. Results are the first to demonstrate a left-hand superiority for information processing in children as young as two years. (Author/AS)

Provides examples of science activities in which children use their senses in manipulating objects and ideas. Suggests that these and other activities be extended to help children deepen their understanding of scientific concepts. (JN)

This paper examines the importance of hands for the person who is deafblind, reviews hand development, and identifies specific teaching skills that facilitate hand development and expressiveness in persons who are deafblind. It notes that the hands of a deafblind individual serve not only as tools but also as sense organs (to compensate for their…