Two studies are reported demonstrating the reliability, validity, and clinical utility of the Language Development Survey (LDS) as a screening tool for the identification of expressive language delay in toddlers. The LDS test-retest reliability was .97. The LDS also correlated highly with other measures and the LDS identified at-risk group scored…

This article provides an overview of the evaluation process in early intervention and describes the integration of concepts based on neurobehavior into the eligibility evaluation of the very young child. Neurobehavioral models are described and an example illustrates how the integration of neurobehavioral concepts can result in a better…

Discusses solutions to the problem arising when parents are ready for their child to be toilet trained and the child shows no interest. Provides information on physical and emotional readiness and environmental factors in readiness. Recommends that lessons in good hygiene be included in toilet training. Notes that when physical, emotional, and…

Thirty-three mother-child dyads participating in an early intervention program were observed through three 8-minute sessions that were videotaped for each dyad at the 5th, 10th, and 15th months. By 15 months, about half the dyads experienced an event that was defined as establishing successful interactions. Mothers' marital status predicted…

Expressive language outcomes measured by MLU and the Index of Productive Syntax (IPSyn) at ages 3 and 4 were investigated in 34 late talkers with normal receptive language and in 16 typically developing comparison children matched on age, socioeconomic status, and nonverbal ability. Late talkers made greater gains than comparison children between…

Examined the effectiveness of pre-bedtime massages for infants and toddlers with sleep onset problems. Found that, compared to bedtime stories, massages produced fewer sleep delays and a shortened latency to sleep onset. (Author/DLH)

Trained 1- to 3-year-olds to touch a video screen displaying a unique target and appearing among varying numbers of distracters; correct responses triggered a sound and four animated objects on the screen. Found that children's reaction time patterns resembled those from adults in corresponding search tasks, suggesting that basic perceptual…

Examines an in-service training program in music for child-care personnel working with infants and toddlers. Concludes that in-service training of child-care personnel in music results in improvement in group leadership and music skills. Infants and toddlers showed increased visual and vocal engagement. (DAJ)

This study examined the extent to which staff from 40 Early Head Start programs in six Midwestern states believed in and were able to implement six aspects of family-centered practice. Results indicated staff experienced difficulty in implementing family-centered practice and that the extent of staff beliefs and implementation were affected by…

This study compiled a comprehensive early auditory processing skills assessment battery and evaluated the battery to toddlers with (n=8) and without (n=9) early recurrent otitis media. The assessment battery successfully distinguished between normal and deficient early auditory processing development in the subjects. The study also found parents…

This article presents five models of early intervention used in Budapest. Diagnostic and treatment methods used by the Pediatric Institute and the Conductive Education System are described, along with the Deveny Special Manual Technique and Gymnastic Method, the Gezenguz method and techniques used in the Early Developmental Center. (CR)

Describes the phonological acquisition of 129 monolingual Putonghua-speaking children, aged 1.6 to 4.6 years. Children's errors suggested that Putonghua-speaking children master four elements of Putonghua syllables in this order: (1) tones; (2) syllable-initial consonants; (3) vowels; and (4) syllable-final consonants. Suggests that the saliency…

This study compared perceptions of parents of 64 children identified as either language delayed (LD) or language normal (LN) at age 2. Reassessment was conducted at age 5 or 6 for 26 families. Parents of LD children reported themselves to be less nurturing, less oriented toward independence training, less sociable, and more externally oriented…

Outlines a process that uses recognized standards in educational measurement to validate behavioral indicators for personnel in early intervention. Results from Georgia's validation process are presented. Recommendations for future validations and use of behavioral indicators are highlighted. (Author/CR)

Forty-eight mothers were asked to instruct their preterm and full-term 24-month-old children to sort blocks according to size and color. Dyads were observed for their ability to find a mutual and stable instructional relationship. Children later identified as having attention deficit hyperactivity disorder were in dyads marked by significantly…