A study examined whether reading aloud to young children would have an effect on their reading success in first grade. Subjects, 45 first-grade students in Wood-Ridge, New Jersey, were given a questionnaire to be completed by their parents. The three first-grade teachers provided students reading aptitude scores, based on teacher observation and…

This study examined teenage parenting among Native Americans, focusing on the support received from grandmothers. The sample was comprised of 15 subjects living on a Navajo reservation: 8 adolescent mothers between 16 to 19 years--most with one child and enrolled either in high school or in an alternative education program; and seven women…

This report presents the findings of a UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Social, and Cultural Organization) survey of the state of legislation on special needs education in 52 member states. Most of the information was gathered in 1992-93. This document represents the final work compiled in 1994-95. Part 1 presents an analysis and synthesis of…

Synthesizing the methodologies of developmental psychology, family sociology, and systems theory, this 15-month longitudinal study examined familial role adjustments in 41 suburban families after the birth of a second child. Using interviews, observations, and rating scales, the study examined families during the third trimester of the second…

This report identifies a number of financing issues facing American higher education in the early 1990s, including: (1) the future federal role in postsecondary education in light of lagging participation rates of low-income and minority students and public concerns about many aspects of campus-based research; (2) the extent of state financial…

The purpose of this training manual is to assist parents and professionals in understanding how a child's temperament, sensorimotor system, and communication system support each other in helping the child develop a solid foundation for normal growth and development. Training is based on the premise that awareness of the interaction and integration…

This booklet is the companion guide to a videotape intended for those who work with young children and want to make their childcare facility a place where reading and books are a part of every child's day. The 10-minute videotape demonstrates practical techniques for reading aloud, choral reading, using Big Books, and storytelling, and suggests…

Each of these issues of "Understanding Our Gifted" is based on the following themes: valuing parents, excellence revisited, networking, talent searches, attention deficit disorders, and mainstreaming the gifted. Feature articles of the six issues include: "'Pushy and Domineering': A Stigma Placed on Parents of Gifted Children" (Lynn C. Cole and…

This practicum was designed to increase the ability of staff to incorporate basic health and safety activities appropriate for preschool children into the curriculum of a program that works with children and families in both center- and home-based settings. The primary goals of the practicum were to increase the number of activities offered and to…

This study investigated whether certain broad cultural notions, such as "chiao shun" (training children in appropriate behavior or morals) and "guan" (a positive notion expressing parental concern, caring, or involvement) better distinguish the Chinese parent from the European-American than do the concepts of…

In recognition of the close relationship between motor skill and cognitive development in the first 2 years of life, this guide presents 78 developmentally appropriate activities that parents and teachers can use to enhance infant and toddler motor development. Activities are categorized by age group as follows: (1) 16 activities for newborn to…

Findings of a study that examined the impact of parent involvement on student performance in Catholic and public schools are presented in this paper. Methodology involved regression analysis of the National Education Longitudinal Study of 1988 (NELS:88) database, which contains information on 1,035 schools (802 public and 233 private schools) and…

A research project was conducted to examine the interactions between the social networks of young adolescents and their computer usage. Particular attention was focused upon whether computers tend to isolate youthful users. Adult anxiety regarding the damaging effects of computers on children was assessed. Parental involvement, orientation to…

A study investigated the impact of an intergenerational approach on: (1) the literacy development and literacy use of adult learners enrolled in an adult basic education program; and (2) the emergent and developing literacy of their children. The project is one of several that have been implemented under the Boston University/Chelsea Public…

This digest explores the knowledge base underpinning the present understanding of the preschool child. This knowledge base involves stages of mental and physical development, physical and psychological needs, conditions that tend to favor or retard the child's learning and development, and so on. The eight chapters of this digest focus on: (1)…