Maintains that McGraw conducted a more complex analysis of neurobehavior than acknowledged by those characterizing her position as maturationist; that she advanced a unique analysis of brain development and consciousness, singling out the reciprocal relationship between neural growth processes and early experience; and that her studies of the role…

Studies whether young children make consistent gender associations with instrumental timbres when not linked to individual instruments. Finds that the children sampled made consistent masculine/feminine associations for tones presented with some gender-based differences in particular responses. Notes possible interactions between timbre and…

A study involving 82 children with low vision evaluated the new developmental age levels and psychometric properties for the Reynell-Zinkin scales. The usefulness of age levels of the Reynell-Zinkin scales is discussed in relation to the aim of the scales, which is to have guidelines for assessment and developmental advice. (Contains references.)…

Examines collage as a symbolic activity in early childhood education. Finds that collage is used in a number of ways by young children and, in addition to being a manipulative and expressive activity, there appears to be a general progression toward incorporating symbolic elements in their collages. (CMK)

Three experiments examined understanding of scalar implicature, specifically understanding that use of a term (e.g., some) indicates the speaker had reasons not to use a more informative term (e.g., all). Results reveal consistent ordering in which representations of weak scalar terms tend to be treated logically by young competent participants…

Defines skills important for kindergarten success in areas of health and physical well-being, social and emotional skills, intellectual skills and general knowledge, and language and speech development. Lists eight "red flags" to help identify children who may need specialized assistance. (DLH)

Presents the findings of a study that was designed to determine approaches to the content of correctional-upbringing work with limited-ability children of preschool age. Considers aspects of correctional-upbringing work with preschool age children who have abnormalities in mental development. (CMK)

Researchers affiliated with the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development are observing the lives of more than 1,000 children from infancy into their school years in order to identify early influences on learning and literacy. This paper describes the project, noting positive and negative aspects of and reactions to this effort. (SM)

Evidence is reviewed on the prevalence of sensory and motor abnormalities in autism and the effectiveness of three interventions designed to address such abnormalities: sensory integration therapy, traditional occupational therapy, and auditory integration training. Results of these limited studies provided no firm support for the interventions.…

The socioemotional integrity of 17 children with specific language impairment (SLI) and 20 age-matched unaffected children was examined at kindergarten and first grade. Significant differences between groups were found for internalizing, social, and attention problems with little congruence or stability over time in clinical ratings. Results…

This study examined children's process of adapting to the preschool setting and established the effect of developmental disharmonies on this process. Findings indicate that children display some behavior disorders during the entry phase to the preschool setting and that serious developmental disharmonies were accompanied by these disorders.…

Suggests that studies of the development of children with disorders of motor function afford opportunities, as yet unexploited, to understand the importance of motor function to overall child development. Maintains that Pellegrini and Smith's (1998) review provides a challenge to developmentalists from many disciplines to use their natural model…

Explored the developmental nature of learning styles among young African American children. Children's help-seeking behaviors were observed, coded, and tallied. Type of help solicitation significantly affected help source. Age and kind of activity did not significantly affect help source. Children approached teachers more than peers for social…

Considers what research has revealed about the development of understanding by young children. Discusses what the "Curriculum Guidance for the Foundation Stage" of the national curriculum of the United Kingdom has to say in terms of that research. The published guidance makes it quite clear that the early years curriculum differs from…

Describes qualities of a good preschool child-development program: Competent staff, parent partnerships, administrative support, and school board support. Provides list of online resources. (PKP)