Having a disability can be one of the most marginalizing factors in a child's life. In education, finding ways to meet the learning needs of children with disabilities can be challenging, especially in schools, districts, regions, and countries with severely limited resources. Inclusive education--which fully engages all children in quality…

Students with high incidence disabilities (i.e., specific learning disabilities, emotional disturbance, intellectual disability, etc.) exhibit impairments in the areas of attention, memory, perception, processing linguistic information, and reasoning that affects their ability to learn. Hence, the ability to design and deliver explicit, enhanced…

Math manipulatives let students see the components of an abstract problem, help build a concrete language for talking about math concepts, and encourage students to gain confidence in their ability to figure things out. Many suggestions for using manipulatives in math instruction are offered. (MT)

This booklet was designed to aid parents in making things at home to develop their newborn to 2-year-old children's skills. Suggested are easy-to-make visual stimuli for infants up to 6 weeks of age and 6 weeks to 3 months of age. For the latter, tactile stimuli also are considered. For infants 3 to 6 months of age, objects providing visual,…

This brochure, developed by a manufacturer of wooden blocks and trains, offers advice on the selection and use of toy blocks with children. The guide asserts that blocks, while often thought of as the most simple of toys, have great strength as creativity builders. Topics discussed in the brochure include: "Why We Want Our Children to…

Noting the increase in interactive museums and science centers and children's exuberant reaction to hands-on exhibits, this guide provides tips for parents on how to prepare for a museum visit and how to encourage the learning process during the visit. The first part of the guide discusses the shift in museum policy from "hands off" to…

This article emphasizes the importance of good design of tactile diagrams and careful diagram use with blind children. Early educational experiences are suggested to equip blind children for most effective use of diagrams. Methods for teaching diagram use are also suggested, particularly where blind children are educated in integrated settings.…

Describes the children's museum movement, exhibits common to children's museums, and the role of children's museums in providing interactive environments for young children to complement the learning that goes on in classrooms and at home. Provides contact information for five children's museums. (DR)

Research on object exploration by infants addresses milestones in the process by normally developing infants, including spontaneous manipulation strategies. Implications for developmentalists working with high-risk preterm infants are noted, including the need for direct assistance in manipulation and for selection of materials. (CL)

This book provides elementary school teachers, physical education specialists, special education teachers, recreation leaders, and parents with some innovative ideas for construction and utilization of homemade playground equipment. Activities which have been found to be interesting to children and adaptable to large classes are suggested. The…

Teachers can use unit blocks as tools for directed learning activities, or blocks can be reserved for children's discovery learning experiences. To use unit blocks for discovery learning, children need adequate, protected space and sufficient, uninterrupted time. Given opportunities for free play with unit blocks, children progress through seven…

Presents ideas for tools useful for teaching writing in elementary school, such as carbon paper, stick-on flags, blank books, scissors, rulers, tape, stationery, postcards, card stands, clotheslines, and Polaroid cameras. Notes on materials dos and don'ts and special writing projects are included. (SM)

This article offers teaching strategies for developing number sense for children who are blind and braille users. Suggestions focus on developing number meanings, exploring number relationships with manipulatives, understanding the relative magnitude of numbers, developing intuitions about the relative effect of operating on numbers, and…

Reviews research on the use of sociodramatic play in developing preschool literacy skills, outlines the development of play centers which can be used to facilitate literacy development, and offers practical suggestions for acquiring the materials needed for the construction of such centers in preschool classrooms and facilities. (MDM)

This step-by-step guide for children provides a collection of over 150 recipes for breakfasts, lunches, salads, dinners, snacks, and desserts, with an emphasis on safety and creativity. The first chapter gives information concerning kitchen safety, utensils, term definitions, measuring equivalents, cleanup tips and other useful instructions. The…