Identifies and discusses factors that affect the development of food preferences in preschool children, including familiarity, age, parents, peers, teachers, and programs designed to influence food habits. Makes recommendations to preschool and day care programs for creating an atmosphere conducive to trying new foods. (Author/DST)

Critically reviews the influential study "Malnutrition and Environmental Enrichment" by Winick et al. (1975) and highlights what are considered to be statistical flaws in its analysis. Data in the classic study of height, weight, and IQ changes in three groups of adopted, malnourished Korean girls are reanalysed and conclusions considered…

Illustrates appropriate teacher responses to typical occurrences in early childhood settings through the use of four separate vignettes. The responses and rationales are offered as starting points for developing individually-planned, reasoned approaches to discipline situations and for encouraging self-discipline in young children. (DST)

Describes a successful training model for early childhood educators (Grades K-three) and paraprofessionals who are unprepared to work with mainstreamed handicapped children. Specifically discussed are program goals and objectives; training modules; training activities; on-site visitation; evaluation; and discussion and recommendations. (Author/DST)

Reviews research studies examining relationship between play behaviors and cognitive styles in young children, particularly emphasizing field dependence and field independence, social behavior, and educational and research implications are also presented. (DST)

Argues for the need to provide more counseling services to families with disabled children. Describes three basic frameworks, considered necessary for counseling professionals, including understanding (1) the parent-professional relationship, (2) the psychological functioning of individuals, and (3) the process of counseling. (Author/DST)

Describes the outreach services of an urban family health and social service organization catering to low-income young childbearing families in East Harlem, New York. Using an innovative multidisciplinary model, the organization's primary emphasis is on working with families in their own homes and eventually moving out into the community.…

Considers nature and extent of child abuse by examining the cultural context within which abuse takes place; the different forms of abuse and effects on the family; the extent of the problem, particularly among different social classes; and the role of the teacher. (DST)

Disadvantaged preschool children attending a program of compensatory education were studied to determine if change in self-concept, delay of gratification, and exercise of self-control were related to growth in achievement. Girls displayed self-concept growth and a decline in delay of gratification, while boys showed growth in self-control.…

Describes a pilot study, involving 48 institutionalized infants and toddlers, which aimed to treat iron deficiency anemia and to discover other factors contributing to the problem. Results indicate improvement in cognitive development after the administration of iron among three groups, while no significant differences were observed in psychomotor…

Traces the 17-year development of a national organization which links parents of handicapped or disabled children with other parents of children with similar disabilities. Highlights the instrumental role of the organization in the development of various other national support groups. (DST)

Reports progress on developing a self-concept scale for preschool children. Discusses promising psychometric properties for the Piers Preschool Pictorial Self-Concept Scale. Directions for future research include: (1) item comparisons and scale validity studies using related instruments, (2) comparisons for subjects from diverse ethnic…

Examines responses of sixty preschool children interviewed on their understanding of war. Although the majority of children could not articulate details of the specific nature of war, they indicated that war was bad for morally relevant reasons. Implementations of the findings for preschool educators are discussed. (Author/DST)

Introduces three philosophical issues to consider when developing curriculum for mentally retarded children: (1) the role of content versus learning processes and teaching methodology in curriculum decisions; (2) the principle of normalization and its implications; and (3) the child's right to choice in curriculum content. (DST)

Reports the results of a caseworker survey exploring characteristics associated with the stability of foster care. The survey was developed from a national profile of the child likely to experience unstable foster care resulting in replacement. Findings and implications are discussed. (Author/DST)