This practical resource explains brain development from prenatal to age 8 with suggestions for activities educators and caregivers can use to foster children's cognitive growth. The authors begin with the basics of brain development, and the issues that affect it, and then provide information specific to infant, toddler, preschool, and…

School-ready children are children who are prepared to learn successfully in school. These children show growth over time in their physical, social and emotional, language, and cognitive development. They also show increasing interests in new experiences and in mastering new skills. Getting "school-ready" starts long before the weeks or…

One of a series intended for parents and other caregivers, this handbook on child development focuses on the first 2 years of life. Contents include discussions on (1) basic developmental principles; (2) physical development; (3) cognitive development and language acquisition; (4) personality development, temperament, attachment, and bonding; (5)…

One of a series written for parents and other caregivers, this handbook on child development focuses on children from 2 to 6 years of age. Contents describe (1) physical development in terms of body size and shape, brain and eyes, and motor skills; (2) cognitive development and language acquisition; (3) personality development, with particular…

The article considers nursery rhymes as the foundation for learning. It is said that nursery rhymes carry all the parts of language that lead to speaking and reading. Because rhymes are short, they are easy for children to repeat, and become some of the first sentences children utter. The rhymes expand vocabulary, exposing children to words they…

Aside from being fun to do, singing songs, saying poems and rhymes, and doing finger plays with children helps them develop early literacy skills. The 700 selections in this compilation of songs and rhymes will help children ages 3 to 6 build a strong foundation in skills and concepts such as listening; colors, shapes, and counting; vocabulary;…

This orientation manual includes a compilation of activities, curriculum, records, and operating procedures of ongoing infant and toddler group care demonstration projects. The current status of three day care units is described: the Infant Day Care Unit, the Toddler Day Care Unit, and the Toddler Enrichment Unit. The manual serves as a basic…

Presented in this document are nine brief study guides which offer advice and information about parenting to parents of infants and toddlers and which collectively make up the "Off to a Good Start" home study program. An information sheet on how to enroll in the program and receive these materials, which are sent to registrants approximately every…

One of a series of four guides developed for use by parents of children enrolled in a Title I reading improvement program, this booklet provides learning activities and suggestions for developing reading readiness in preschool children. The areas covered include language development, following directions, likenesses and differences, television,…

This manual describes an early childhood education program for 200 children, ages 4 and 5, based on community needs and designed to prepare children for entry into a non-graded elementary instructional program. Following an overview of the program and a rationale for preschool education, various aspects of the preschool operations are reviewed,…

Designed to assist the parent in providing language learning opportunities to children at home from infancy through first grade, this practically oriented guidebook includes activities for early childhood to develop sensory awareness and to encourage directed play, investigation, and exploration. Exercises are designed to develop physical…

SHAPES--an acronym for the South Plains Child Care Management Services (SpCCMS) Helping, Assisting and Preparing Educators and Staff--is also the name of a preschool readiness curriculum that is being developed for use by administrators and teachers. The first phase of the curriculum development consists of the publication of five books to be used…

Reviews current research on infant and toddler physical development, cognitive development, and language acquisition. Provides a list of suggested activities, safety concerns, and opportunities for caregivers to enhance child development. (SD)

Two guides for practitioners, one concerning early childhood curriculum and the other concerning the early childhood identification process are presented in this document. The curriculum guide, which constitutes the bulk of this package, approaches early childhood curriculum issues from the developmental perspective. The first section of the guide…

Curriculum for the trainable mentally handicapped is developed on the primary, intermediate, and young adult levels. Units treat self care and personal health, interpersonal relations, safety education, and sensory and perceptual training. Additional units cover language, physical, and creative development as well as functional academics, home…