Within the last few years a "new wave" of therapeutic techniques for teaching the mentally retarded has emerged in this country. Describes how the behavior of two demonstration groups of mentally retarded children utilize the accomodations of role playing and behavior modification to develop social skills. (Author/RK)

Focuses on the Curriculum and Instruction component of the University of Hawaii's Early Childhood Education program and how it is designed to help students grow. (Author)

Provides an analysis of the rational and nonrational factors in the use of stimulant drugs. Focuses upon the educational system as an arena in which these perspectives contest for dominance in the use of stimulant drugs for hyperkinesis. (Editor/RK)

Discusses the relationship between language impairments and memory. A discovery process that can be used to determine the degree to which children's long-term memories vary across recall content and contexts, and a method for determining which memory facilitation strategies are the most effective are discussed. (CR)

Explores the relationships between adolescence and self-determination, and presents a model for self-determination that incorporates components of the skills and knowledge necessary for adolescents to realize their identities. Interventions aimed at promoting self-determination in youth with disabilities, including curricular interventions,…

This study compared the ongoing levels of naturally occurring behavior in 32 typical preschool-aged children and 32 children with autism. Results are discussed in terms of implications for establishing early social intervention goals for children with autism. It concludes that key peer-related behaviors must be assessed across time and activities…

In early childhood, love, protection, and nurturing promote emotional interactions that build healthy minds. Young children are influenced by childcare, education, family, and community. A new, innovative educational model views each child as unique, avoids personality tests and labels, and promotes family-school cooperation. A sidebar presents…

Assessed parents' beliefs about former Head Start children's abilities and values in academics, sports, and social skills during their kindergarten year. Found that there were ethnic differences in parents' beliefs about children's abilities and future prospects in different areas. Parents' beliefs related to children's attitudes toward school and…

The "Ages and Stages Questionnaires," a parent-completed developmental monitoring system, is described, and various strategies for using the system to identify young children with developmental delays are compared. Strategies include mail-out, home visit, on-site (completed by either parent with assistance from service provider),…

Four tenets of dynamic systems theory related to motor development in infants are identified: coupling of perception and action; development of adaptable and functional movement synergies; phase shifts in which new movement patterns are explored and selected; and identification of the constraining and facilitating forces of motor development. Four…

Describes features of social pretend play and identifies characteristics of young children's cognitive and social play that may inhibit their participation. Describes approaches for supporting the social pretend play of children with mild to moderate developmental delays and disabilities, including assessment of play skills, use of structured play…

Case studies examined impact of early intervention on the rate of acquisition of communicative and linguistic behaviors for a small group of severely and profoundly deaf infants. Found that infants who were diagnosed and used amplification by six months of age acquired vocal and linguistic skills at an age more comparable to hearing peers than did…

Claims that creativity can be nurtured in young children using the appropriate creative environment, such as schools with creative programs, continuous enrichment of the environment, and creative teachers and creative ways of teaching. Concludes that the most powerful possibility of nurturing creativity in an individual lies in interaction with…

Claims that Miller's book is admirably clear and comprehensive on current thinking in early literacy, noting Miller's refutation of the concept of reading readiness. Suggests the book would be particularly useful for students in initial teacher training courses, not just those intending to work with young children. Questions preoccupation with…

This article addresses three issues concerning the development of social skills in young children with special needs, especially children with severe social limitations. First, the importance of children's social skills is stressed; next, specific peer-related social skills that should receive priority in early intervention are identified; and…