This study examined the effect of lexical aspect and phonology on regular past-tense production. Data are presented from a group of 31 children, mean age 33 months, with typical language development. A case study of a 50-month-old child with Specific Language Impairment (SLI) is also presented. Children imitated sentence pairs that included an…

Purpose: This study tests the hypothesis that toddlers with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) will show differences from contrast groups in preferences for attending to speech. Method: This study examined auditory preferences in toddlers with ASD and matched groups of (a) typical age-mates, (b) age-mates with nonautistic developmental disabilities,…

As Montessorians come to the beginning of the second century of the Montessori system of education, they are in agreement that following the principles and guidelines set out by Maria Montessori a century ago empowers them to present to children an environment that truly "works." As the child is very different and the changes very evident between…

This report describes the extent to which maltreated children have developmental problems or are subject to factors associated with poor developmental outcomes, what services these children might be eligible to receive, what factors influence service receipt, and what solutions have been devised to address barriers to service provision. This final…

Twenty-two children ranging in age from 2 to 3 years were tested on their abilities to apply weight and distance rules to the balance scale. This study was performed to test the prediction that 2-year-olds would be able to understand either a weight rule or a distance rule, but not be able to integrate the two. The sample group was instructed in…

This pilot study examined, from a dynamic systems perspective, changes in maternal/child discourse behaviors across repeated readings of a storybook. Four Caucasian children (2 boys, 2 girls), ranging in age from 2 years 7 months to 2 years 10 months, were videotaped reading unfamiliar storybooks with their mothers. The videotapes were…

Singing is an important skill for the positive management of children's behaviors. Throughout the ages, caregivers have sung babies to sleep with lullabies and cradle songs. As a powerful tool to communicate care and understanding, singing to babies increases closeness between caregiver and children and nourishes an early love of singing. Singing…

This guide discusses how adjusting to parenthood for some persons with physical disabilities requires additional accommodations. Changes in lifestyle, environmental adaptations and assistive technology may be necessary to make independent child care possible. Project Innovative Parenting (PIP) was developed with the purpose to empower…

This study compiled descriptive information about what states are doing or planning to do with early intervention data systems, a component of early intervention systems as specified in Part H of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The study examined the uses of data systems in eight states: Colorado, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts,…

The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of the security of mother-infant attachment and of infants' cognitive development on mothers' and infants' ability to coordinate their attention to objects with the attention of another person. Fifty-eight 15- to 19-month-olds were videotaped for 10 minutes while they played with toys near…

This public awareness package is designed to help crisis nursery and respite care programs for families with special needs children to increase the visibility of the programs' services, increase use of their services by families, enhance collaboration with other agencies, and assist with fund-raising efforts. It describes the advantages and uses…

This hearing contains testimony on the Early Head Start program. Testimony was provided by: (1) a director of a state Head Start Association; (2) directors of Head Start programs; (3) a Head Start parent; (4) Olivia A. Golden, Assistant Secretary, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; (5) a state…

Stability and predictive validity in the language and play development of 41 toddlers were studied. Links between language and symbolic play of toddlers were examined at 13 and 20 months in terms of homotypic, heterotypic, or mediated models of association. In the homotypic model, performance on a variable is related to performance on the same…

This bibliography provides a listing of 111 English-language books, articles, and audiovisual resources on the subject of relations between professionals and the parents of infants and toddlers with disabilities. Specific topics covered include, among others: parent attitudes, goal-setting, family assessment, stress, support groups, parent…

This study examined: (1) the accuracy with which standards of the state-subsidized Israeli family day care (FDC) program were implemented; and (2) the relationships between specific program service characteristics, program quality, and children's daily experiences in care. Israeli family day care standards concern program participants, caregivers…