The importance of letter sound knowledge (LSK) as a precursor to later literacy skills has been well-documented. Since English language learners (ELLs), or students who first acquired a language other than English, continue to underperform in reading compared to their English-speaking peers, they are particularly at-risk for reading and academic…

Purpose: As part of this clinical forum on curriculum-based intervention, the goal of this tutorial is to share research about the importance of language and literacy foundations in natural environments during emergent literacy skill development, from infancy through preschool. Following an overview of intervention models in schools by Powell…

Two intervention approaches designed to address the multifaceted academic and cognitive difficulties of low-income children who enter pre-K with very low math knowledge were tested in a randomized experiment. Blocking on classroom, children who met screening criteria were assigned to a Math + Attention condition in which the Pre-Kindergarten…

Suggests that the content and presentation formats of "Sesame Street" are well suited to preschoolers' vocabulary development, independently of parent education, family size, child gender, and parental attitudes. Findings also suggest the feasibility of tutorial uses of the video medium. (RH)

This paper presents a brief overview of research relevant to early childhood education, reviews some recent intervention programs for preschool and kindergarten children, and investigates the need for policymakers to establish programs based on research findings. Particular attention is given to an intervention research study conducted with…

A GROUP OF 14-YEAR-OLD GIRLS FROM WORKING CLASS HOMES WHO WERE RECOMMENDED BY THEIR SCHOOL COUNSELORS PARTICIPATED IN A STORY READING PROGRAM DESIGNED TO IMPROVE THE LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT OF DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN 1 1/2 TO 2 1/2 YEARS OLD. FOR 20 MINUTES A DAY, 5 DAYS A WEEK, FOR 8 MONTHS EACH GIRL MET WITH EACH OF HER FOUR PARTICULAR CHILDREN AND…

Research was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a 12-week intervention program of individual instruction for disadvantaged preschool children. Based on this pretest, 17 children with IQ scores of 107 or less were selected and placed into experimental and control groups. The experimental group was exposed to individual cognitive and…

The objectives of this research pilot project were (1) to train 3- and 4-year-olds in cognitive and tactile discovery tasks; (2) to provide guidance for parents, enabling them to reinforce and review the concepts taught; and (3) to establish training and employment, as tutors, for central city high school and junior college students. A "discovery…

Based on the belief that structured preschool activities aid in the development of disadvantaged children, this study attempted (1) to evolve a tutorial program to accelerate spontaneous development in disadvantaged children and prevent cognitive and language deficits, and (2) to assess growth of the infant's cognitive and language development…

This investigation evaluated a group of 20 8-month to 2-year-old culturally disadvantaged children who were given a 1-year structured educational program as a means of environmental intervention. The program involved language training, conceptual training, and sensory-motor training. The study is the first phase of a longitudinal study to…

Research has indicated that one significant deficiency in the intellectual capabilities of disadvantaged children is a disability in abstract thinking. Although all very young children lack this ability, the environment of the middle class child provides an opportunity so that as this child matures, the ability to think in abstract terms naturally…

This study attempted to determine if significant and lasting cognitive gains could be achieved by focusing preschool efforts upon children younger than those now being serviced by traditional programs--children under three years of age. Thirty-six disadvantaged children, 19-28 months of age, were randomly assigned to two groups: a Home Group…

This book discusses volunteer reading programs, which have been and are being established as a result of the high illiteracy level in the United States. These programs tend to fit into three categories: (1) supportive programs which take place within the school or school system, (2) supplemental programs operated essentially from outside the…

The research project described in this paper represents an effort to consider family literacy as an evolving and problematic issue and to study participants' resistance to or misunderstanding of program goals. The project began as an intervention designed to address the increasing number of low-income children entering school without fundamental…