Setting motor performance standards has long been an important process to physical educators. However, theoretical advances appropriate for standard-setting have been made only in the last decade. Issues in standard setting are discussed, procedures are reviewed, and gender differences in motor performance are considered. (Author/JN)

Children (ages three and four) living in high-rise flats performed poorly on gross motor ability tests as compared to children living in houses. (CP)

A constant time delay (CTD) procedure was used to teach four adolescents with severe/profound intellectual disabilities to perform bowling, throwing, and putting. Results indicated that the adolescents could be effectively taught gross motor lifetime sport skills with the CTD procedure and that verbal description plus physical assistance could be…

Tests of a neuropsychological model for spatial orientation in the absence of vision were developed and administered to 31 children with congenital blindness. Results support the neuropsychological model and indicate that some congenitally blind subjects had focal brain damage, sufficient to impair their capacity to be accurately oriented in…

Discusses the tactile and kinesthetic areas of learning children experience when using clay. Includes practical tips for using and storing clay for preschool use and notes the differences between potters' clay and play dough. (HTH)

Explores three questions related to the kindergarten mathematics curriculum: (1) How much do young students' limited abilities to process information hamper performance on worksheet tasks? (2) How is mathematics currently taught in kindergarten? and (3) What materials and activities are appropriate for mathematics learning in kindergarten? (MDH)

Investigates how different practice techniques (physical, mental, and alternating physical/mental) and aural knowledge of results improve the piano performance of 40 graduate and undergraduate music students. Reveals all three practice modes, especially physical practice, improved performance, whereas aural knowledge of results had little effect.…

Case studies are presented of three individuals with severe communication impairments who had been judged to be intellectually impaired but revealed unexpected achievements after training in nonspeech communication. The communication training used facilitation to circumvent hand function impairments. (JDD)

Describes the development of the motor section of Peabody College's preschool orientation and mobility (O&M) project curriculum for children with visual impairments. Theoretical foundations and curriculum design, as well as specific applications of motor skills to the development of formal O&M skills are presented. (SM)

This paper analyzes the methodology and effectiveness of the training approaches implemented in 28 empirical studies on basic motor skills instruction for children with neuromotor delays. For all types of training approaches (neuromotor interventions, sensory integration techniques, behavioral programing, and naturalistic programing), assessment…

The influence of skill level, behavioral characteristics, and labeling upon the attitudes of 320 members of 12 private tennis clubs toward the participation of individuals with mental retardation was investigated. Attitudes and intentions toward people with mental retardation were positive regardless of label assigned and perceived skill level.…

Reviews the literature on the relationship between balance and motor skill development as it relates to physical activity levels, physical fitness levels, and overall quality of life. Findings are related to educational programming needs of young deaf children. (Author/DB)

New neuroscientific knowledge is redefining possibilities for K-12 education. There are five critical variables in the brain's learning process: neural history, context, acquisition, elaboration, and encoding. This article tracks one student's unique brain activity throughout her school day to illustrate these variables. (MLH)

Utility of the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales-Expanded Form to discriminate among areas of adaptive behavior was substantiated by comparing profiles of scores obtained by 113 individuals with mental retardation and either a communication, social behavior, or motor disorder. Results support the use of the Vineland Scales in ecological evaluation…

Relations between children's peer play competence and other relevant competencies were investigated using two samples of urban Head Start children. Dimensions of peer play were examined concurrently with emotion regulation, autonomy, and language. Children exhibiting high levels of peer play interaction were found to demonstrate more competent…