Describes an empirical study that examined the impact of being carried on a parent's back on a child's visual integration pathways. Draws on a previous study (Pretorius et al.) postulating that this cultural behavior could have a negative impact as it prevents the child from crawling adequately or enough during the sensorimotor stage. (Author)

This article explores drama's potential for fostering metacognition, arguing that for effective learning, children need to be given access to activities in which they gain deeper understanding about their own thinking processes. To this end, and with reference to practice in primary education, a case is offered for the increased status of drama,…

This article recounts observations of the use of texts in the preschool, to document the interaction between the child, the teacher, and the environment, and the emergent literacy in the daily practices. Presentation of the findings is a description of two different textual environments: the narrative and the passive. (Author)

Studied teachers' perceived control over child behavior among Swedish preschool teachers working in school preparatory classrooms. Found that a high proportion of children with externalizing problems and a high proportion of boys in the classroom were the most salient aspects for teachers' perceived control. The importance of teachers' perceived…

Compared parental knowledge of structural and procedural characteristics of their daycare facilities with data provided by center directors. Found that parents answered only 45% of questions correctly and reported a lack of knowledge regarding both general center characteristics and specific group characteristics. Found that parental knowledge…

Describes the symptoms associated with Gerstmann's syndrome, a disorder of cognition, as well as the resulting challenges for educators in planning an education program based on the child's information-processing strengths, taking into account disabilities. Discusses educational implications as well as specific recommendations for children with…

Examined the marked delay in language acquisition suffered by babies with Down Syndrome and how early treatment affects the subsequent observed development among 36 subjects in Spain. Found statistically significant differences in language acquisitions in favor of newborns, compared with 90-day-old through 18-month-old infants who experienced…

Compared parenting attitudes of Asian Indian mothers living in the United States with those of mothers living in India. Found that the Asian Indian mothers in the United States had lower inappropriate expectations and tended not to reverse roles with their children. Asian Indian mothers living in India favored the use of corporal punishment more…

Investigated whether experiencing 25 minutes of unstructured play in a preceding task influenced the creativity of 6- and 7-year-olds in a subsequent activity. Found that there was a positive effect of a preceding salt-dough play activity upon the creativity and range of colors used in creating a collage with a controlled range of materials.…

This longitudinal study examined Singapore children's transition from preschool to primary school. The study identified the nature of parental support for numeracy development. Findings indicated that parents invest much time and effort in preparing children for primary school and see it as essential for accessing entry to a meritocratic…

Validated a parent-based assessment of cognitive abilities of 3-year-olds, the Parent Report of Children's Abilities for 3s (PARCA3), against a standard tester-administered measure, the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities, and a vocabulary checklist. Found that PARCA3 parent report and parent-administered components significantly related to…

Draws from sociolinguistic perspective, human development, school learning, and language policy to discuss conflicting claims about second-language learning in school. Differentiates between cultural context within micro cultures and school content within global macro culture. Asserts that educators should ensure that learners have access to the…

The Family Literacy Bags (FLB) project is a parent involvement and education innovation designed to engage children and their families in reading books in Spanish or English at home. Findings from inquiry at four primarily rural, middle-class school districts suggest that the FLB project encouraged home book reading. Parents learned effective ways…

Discusses findings from evaluation of national "School Friends" project set up by British Telecom (BT) in the United Kingdom, in which BT employees volunteered to assist with literacy learning in primary schools. Notes evaluation findings that industry role models raised students' confidence and enthusiasm for reading, especially among boys.…

Describes the collaboration between and among classroom teachers and the preschool learning specialist (PLS) in an independent school in Louisiana. Details the PLS's role, which involves identifying and supporting individual learning strengths and weaknesses, providing direct remediation and enrichment, offering technical support, performing…