The article defines and describes coping and stress, their relationship to learning, and how they are assessed for educational planning for preschool handicapped children. The Coping Inventory, an observation assessment instrument, is used to show how the teaching and learning of coping behavior can be part of each child's educational plan.…

The article describes the Coping Inventory, an observation instrument used to assess 48 coping behaviors and to develop a profile which generates goals and objectives in a preschool learning handicapped child's individualized education plan aimed at increasing coping competence. (Author/SB)