Distinguishes between attachment (the relationship between infant and caregiver) and dependency (the reliance of the child on adults for nurturance, attention, or assistance). Assesses preschool children with varying attachment histories and suggests that the roots of overdependency lie in the quality of the early infant-caregiver relationship.…

Initiating change in preschool and elementary schools could enhance childrens' present physical fitness and help them understand and achieve physical fitness in adulthood. Mastering motor skills and locomotor patterns in early childhood is important to future physical development. A new direction for physical activity programs is offered. (DF)

Demonstrates the positive effects of instruction using environmental print to stimulate print awareness in preschool children. (FL)

Raises issues for public debate on the quality of child care services. Argues for immediate closure of harmful centers, state licensing laws, expanding present child care services in the public schools, and a comprehensive child development act that puts early childhood education programs into public schools. (AS)

The presence or absence of a diagnosed handicap in the child proved to be a critical factor in determining mothers' hierarchy of values for their preschoolers. Value areas assessed in two studies were physical, intrapersonal, interpersonal, and sociocultural. (Author/RH)

Summarizes the literature on the adverse effect of environmental deprivation on Black children, especially during preschool years. Describes the author's study which suggests a relationship between a child's experiences at home and his/her ability to be familiar with common material which forms the experiential core of school activities. (RDN)

An eight test battery was constructed to measure four specific cognitive abilities in preschool children: verbal skill, memory, perceptual speed, and spatial ability. Based on results of factor analyses of the testing of 98 three year olds, a shorter version, consisting of four tests, was devised which shows promising validity. (Author/BS)

Studied rates of family breakdown in families of New Zealand children (N=1,002) from birth to five years. By five years nearly one child in eight had experienced a family breakdown. Rates were related to family formation and social factors. Risk factors were modeled using the proportional hazards model. (JAC)

Analysis of 21 early intervention projects approved by the JDRP (Joint Dissemination Review Panel) revealed that the projects reflected stress on parent involvement, early intervention, and structured programing, and had demonstrated feasibility of early intervention and developed curriculum and assessment materials. The frequency of serious…

This article reports on the results of a study in which performances of kindergarten tasks by early entrants to kindergarten and regular-age entrants were compared at the end of the school year. The need for research-based criteria for success in kindergarten for males and females is explored. (DF)

Aggressive and prosocial peer interactions were observed in 38 preschool-age children. Attractive girls received more prosocial and fewer aggressive advances than unattractive girls. There was no differential treatment of boys related to attractiveness. Results are discussed in relationship to possible developmental implications and their parallel…

Results are reported on the literacy and numeracy skills of a sample of Black and White United Kingdom children just prior to entry into 33 Inner London Education Authority infant schools. There were few differences in children's test scores attributable to ethnic origin. (Author/CT)

Parents have an important role in their child's early preparation for reading. To help children develop positive attitudes towards reading, parents can read aloud, talk and listen to their children, show good reading habits, play with their children, and take field trips. (DF)

This article offers suggestions on planning field trip experiences for young children. Rules should be set and enforced, strollers available, and enough care givers present to manage the group. Grocery stores, fire stations, bookstores, and barbershops are some of the places children enjoy. (DF)

Assessed maternal evaluations of acceptability of social reinforcement and time-out procedures following their use in a brief parent training program for 28 mothers with noncompliant children. Results indicated that, in addition to producing greater reductions in noncompliant behavior, time-out is rated as comparable in acceptability to social…