The paper describes approaches used to assess preverbal or nonverbal orthopedically handicapped infants. The first section describes a conceptual approach to development that differs from the normative approach. The conceptual development model emphasizes developmental structures rather than successive cumulative acquisitions of behavior. This…

This paper takes the position that toys can significantly modify children's behavior and that considerable care needs to go into the decisions one makes when buying a toy. Toys are regarded as educational aids and sources of potential learning. A given toy can provide a variety of lessons. Such lessons include: (1) learning about the various…

A STUDY WAS CONDUCTED TO DETERMINE WHETHER PEOPLE CAN CHANGE THEIR PERCEPTUAL PROCESSING STRATEGIES TO INCLUDE TESTS FOR THE PRESENCE OF ONLY THOSE STIMULUS FEATURES NECESSARY FOR THE TASK AT HAND. LEARNING DURING PRACTICE AND THE EFFECT OF AGE ON THE ABILITY TO USE OPTIMAL STRATEGIES WERE INVESTIGATED. A DISJUNCTIVE REACTION TIME PROCEDURE WAS…

This paper reports a study which examined the relationships of various facets of sensorimotor performance to abilities measured by a developmental examination of a sample of full-term and pre-term infants nine months after expected term date. This study addressed three questions: (1) Are there differences in the sensorimotor development of term…

This speech discusses concrete entities and abstract phenomena--focusing especially on the ideas of Plato and Aristotle. The author first explains that, according to Plato and Aristotle, there is a qualitative difference between things classified as concrete and those labeled abstract. She then questions whether there really is a difference…

Reviewed were 28 research studies which investigated the effect of perceptual-motor programs on the reading achievement of students with average or higher intellectual ability. Despite possible criticisms of some investigations, all studies reviewed were reported to acquaint the reader with the range of available research literature. Of the…

Five psychologists who have approached the study of learning from different points of view were asked to prepare statements which examined their areas of interest for empirically-based knowledge of relevance to learning as found in the classroom. They presented their viewpoints at a symposium sponsored by Phi Delta Kappa. This book presents the…

A visually directed sensory motor training program with a 30-day duration did not enhance the depth perception of five-year-old children. (MM)

Compared overall performance level for both hands combined (OPL) with several lateral deviation measures calculated from scores on a composite finger localization task (FLT) and a speeded pegboard task (SPT) administered to 92 kindergarten entrants. Results support the view that OPL and lateral deviation are not mutually confounded and, in large…

Perceptual training activities are described for use in the regular primary or intermediate class that will not disrupt the academic program. Materials and procedures are considered for developing visual and haptic abilities, visual memory and figure-ground discrimination, and auditory, olfactory, taste, and motor skills. (CL)

Sixty mentally retarded children (mean chronological age 19.4 years, mean mental age 5.2 years) were analyzed on their discrimination of 116 colored action pictures. (Author)

The primary purpose of this study was to test the implication that perceptual-motor development training will increase school learning as measured by academic achievement and mastery of basic skills at the kindergarten level. (Authors)