Data from standardization sample (n=1,700) of Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-Revised (WPPSI-R) were used to develop table that gives Full Scale intelligence quotients (IQs) for four-subtest (Comprehension, Arithmetic, Picture Completion, Block Design) abbreviated form of scale. Reports reliability and validity coefficients…

A total of 12 professional caregivers and 35 2- and 3-year olds participated in a study to determine caregivers' influence on the competence of preschoolers. Caregivers assisted children while the children performed classification tasks. Found that the sex of the children and the working conditions of the caregivers influenced children's task…

This article discusses ways that early intervention team members can improve their communication, qualities of effective teams, roles that members assume on teams, a step-by-step process for creating a transdisciplinary team, verbal and nonverbal skills necessary for successful communicative interaction, and behaviors that serve as barriers to…

Suggests ways parents can prepare their children for becoming literate. (SR)

Examines the predictive relations among dimensions of symbolic play (object and ideational transformations), linguistic verbs, and measures of early literacy. Indicates that use of linguistic verbs predicts Concepts of Print scores and that symbolic play and linguistic verbs predict emergent writing and reading, respectively. (SR)

Techniques to promote engagement in preschool children with special needs include rotating toys to maximize novelty, specifying engagement goals, and using individualized materials. Promoting engagement requires consideration of methods for determining engagement goals and ways to manage the logistics of the individualized program. (DB)

The article addresses ways to maximize the engagement of preschool children with special needs, through classroom modifications of the physical environment, the social environment, and instructional practices. The article encourages use of appropriate, sufficient, and accessible materials; a daily schedule with smooth transitions; and use of…

This article describes the multielement design, often recommended in single-subject research, and discusses its advantages and disadvantages for research in early intervention with handicapped children. The article concludes that the multielement design has many advantages, though multiple treatment interference is an issue of concern. (JDD)

Discusses functional literacy activities (reading and writing activities used to achieve some real-life goal) and their usefulness in providing motivation as well as practice opportunities for young children. Notes four such activities: name cards, signs and labels, daily schedule, and references. (SR)

Results revealed some integration of text and tune in both preschoolers' and adults' memory of a song, with the degree of integration greater for adults than for children. Children's memory for one song component (most often the words) did not especially facilitate their memory for the other component (the tune). (RH)

The attitudes of British Columbia directors (N=205) of early childhood education centers toward the integration of handicapped children were assessed. The moderate support for integration was explained by directors' low assessment of their skills with handicapped children, a perception of inadequate accessibility of support staff, and inadequate…

This paper reports on a home-based intervention project piloted with preschoolers with emotional disturbances (N=30) including family services from an intervention team. The program emphasizes interactive planning for the Individual Family Service Plan. Two case studies are included. Results from a descriptive evaluation survey completed by…

The impact of divergent thinking and ideational talent research on understanding young children's creativity is discussed, focusing specifically on use of particular topics or stimuli to facilitate divergent thinking; recognition of the influence of the setting, teacher, and feedback; and importance of recognizing both the quantity and the quality…

Two experiments investigated the possibility that three year olds would do better on tasks in which belief cues were stronger than on standard false belief tasks, in which the children could reason backward to the belief from its effects. Findings provided strong support for the view that three year olds do not fully understand the…

In seeking alternatives to punitive discipline, caregivers can practice preventive guidance, which involves structuring the environment to reduce behavior problems and anticipating potential behavior problems. Caregivers can also use verbal interaction strategies, such as defining limits to and explaining consequences of certain behaviors; and…