Analysis of 291 surveys representing preschool children considered at risk, with special education needs, or with no developmental delays revealed several intergroup differences. Respondents for children with special education needs placed the lowest priority on literacy development, had the lowest expectations for their children's future, and…

We evaluated computerized training and testing programs with children who were having difficulties learning prereading skills. The programs were derived from equivalence research and were written in authoring software designed for educators. After learning to match uppercase and lowercase printed letters to the corresponding letter names (Tasks 1…

This study investigated the effects of observational learning on preschoolers' use of a questioning technique, attention to print, and knowledge of the alphabet. Preschoolers who observed a model ask questions asked more questions during a shared book episode than did children who did not observe a model ask questions. Children who observed a…

Research and theory on second language reading has reached heightened dimensions in recent years. It is through reading that learners access much information concerning the target language and culture, and consequently reading is an important part of almost all language programs across stages of acquisition. The purpose of this article is to offer…

The relative importance of internal and external letter features of words in children's developing reading was investigated to clarify further the nature of early featural analysis. In Experiment 1, 72 6-, 8-, and 10-year-olds read aloud words displayed as wholes, external features only (central features missing, thereby preserving word shape…

This paper summarizes research on the effects of television viewing on student achievement. Information concerning students in the San Juan Unified School District in California is highlighted. Studies have revealed that: (1) watching more than 3 hours of television a day prevents students from engaging in other activities; (2) moderate television…

Memory demands made by mothers of very young children are discussed in two studies of joint picture-book reading and one study of mother/infant pairs who looked at family photograph albums. While memory demands made by mothers differed as a function of child's age and linguistic development, at about 15 months of age children were expected to take…

To investigate what and how a child was learning about reading, a case study was conducted of one preliterate child's retelling of a story. The 5-year-old child (Jamie) heard the story in its complete form on the first session and then retold it each week for 8 weeks. The adult listener answered her questions but did not help unless asked. The…

A total of 26 preschools and day care centers in Saint Leo, Florida indicated the extent to which they were involved in teaching prereading and reading skills, when a questionnaire listing 50 reading and related activities was sent to 54 local centers. Respondents were instructed to indicate whether they engaged in the listed activities…

Using student dictated stories to create class books is an exciting way to teach young children about books and writing. Children can thus use their own material as they learn to read, the books provide a class library, and writing through dictation allows young children to learn about reading and writing before they can read or write--even with…

Describes a radio program offering suggestions to parents for getting their children off to a good start in reading that is broadcast over the American Forces Network in Europe. (TO)

One approach to preparing kindergarten children for beginning reading combines a meaningful print environment with active student involvement in the learning process. The environment of the classroom from the beginning exposes children to meaningful printed words and symbols. Children use name tags not only for identification but also as a way for…

TO SUPPORT THE PREMISE THAT EARLY EDUCATION REDUCES ENVIRONMENTAL DEPRIVATION AND TO SUBSTANTIATE PROPOSALS ADVANCED BY BEREITER AND ENGLEMANN IN "TEACHING DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN IN PRESCHOOL," AN EXPERIMENT WAS CONDUCTED IN A HEADSTART SETTING. TWO CLASSES, EACH OF 24 CHILDREN RANGING IN AGE FROM 3-8 TO 5-7, ATTENDED PRESCHOOL CLASSES…

This study compared syntactic complexity and vocabulary diversity in two groups of books that can be used for reading aloud to preschool children: books recommended by authorities in reading and children's literature for reading aloud and "grocery store" books (small, inexpensive picture books that can be purchased in grocery stores).…

SCHOOL ENTRANCE VARIABLES AFFECT LATER STUDENT PERFORMANCE. THIS STATEMENT WAS STUDIED BY ANALYZING THE EFFECTS OF CHRONOLOGICAL AGE AND READINESS LEVEL AT SCHOOL ENTRANCE AND SEX AND RACIAL DIFFERENCE (WHITE AND NEGRO) ON THE FOURTH-GRADE ACHIEVEMENT AND PERSONALITY ADJUSTMENT OF 1,110 PUPILS OF 39 SCHOOLS LOCATED IN CULTURALLY DEPRIVED AREAS OF…