Two studies were conducted to examine infants' ability to discern intentions from lexical and prosodic cues. Two groups of 14-18-month-olds participated in these studies. In both studies, infants watched an adult perform a sequence of two-step actions on novel toys that produced an end-result. In the first study actions were marked intentionally…

Studies using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to observe the adolescent brain have shown that during adolescence multiple changes are occurring. This can provide a potential explanation for the sporadic and seemingly unpredictable behaviors that appear. It is believed that the brain of an adolescent goes through a profound neurological…

This study assessed children's graphic flexibility and their ability to report on their use of drawing strategies when drawing characterized figures. 253 children (129 boys, 124 girls) aged between 4 years 3 months and 11 year 10 months formed three groups, either drawing a man, a dog or a tree. Each group was asked to draw three emotionally…

Focusing on the development of systematic observation procedures, this document provides guidance in choosing methods to assess the development of children within an early childhood program. The document discusses how to use observation data to guide decisions about curriculum and teaching, provide feedback on educational and developmental…

The first purpose of the study was to develop a methodology for observing young children at play in their classroom situations without access to sound. The second purpose was to use data collected under equivalent conditions and methodologies to compare the play behaviors of young deaf children to the play behaviors of their hearing counterparts.…

This study looked at specific influences on the cognitive development of adult students in two settings. The results of this study demonstrated that some students increased in cognitive complexity according to Perry's scheme. From this study, one cannot identify a single experience that is solely responsible for assisting students in developing…

Observing young children at play is a very common and useful method for identifying the presence or absence of certain developmentally appropriate skills. Such observations can vary from general overviews of typical classroom activities to extensive and highly detailed data-collection systems. Although educators should use a series of…

The methodological issue of qualitative versus quantitative research is addressed, and the argumentation of research using interview methods for research is explored. Warrants of the type that are used in arguments generating conclusions from interview data are included. (KR)

This policy brief explores kindergarten readiness observation and its benefits to local and state level stakeholders; highlights efforts by California counties and other states to measure school readiness; and makes recommendations for moving toward statewide use of kindergarten readiness observation tools. Key points include: (1) Early efforts to…

The second in a series of manuals on adults with learning disabilities, the booklet covers assessment techniques. The nature of assessment as an ongoing process is stressed, and the role of observation (both systematic and nonsystematic) and interview data are discussed. A seven-step evaluation sequence is proposed, with the major goal of…

This study demonstrated the effectiveness of a reliable, inexpensive method for observing fathers interacting with their preschool children in the home. Fathers in 180 white families were interviewed about their child rearing attitudes and practices, and observed while playing games with their four-year old children. When a factor analysis of the…

This report presents an evaluation of a Title I preschool program which served 403 children during the 1973-74 school year, and was designed to prepare disadvantaged 4-year-olds for entry into kindergarten. In terms of instructional approach, the program closely followed Piagetian theory and included preservice and inservice teacher training. The…

Two problems related to early childhood are studied: the specification of goals and the problem of measurement. Methods used to study these problems are to define objectives in the affective domain and to develop instruments to measure the attainment of these objectives. It is pointed out that the interrelationship between what the child is able…

A modified Montessori nursery school program operating in a private urban school serving a racially heterogeneous population was evaluated. The project called for investigating the educational effects of the program on both Head Start and middle class children. The impression was that children participated in the project differentially. That is,…

This report stems from the observation of the training of Responsive Care pilot program directors. The Responsive Care Program was designed to facilitate the development of children's social and cognitive repertoires through provision of a rich environment and responsive instructional techniques. The Responsive Care Model was first implemented at…