Journal of Early Intervention current issue

Motor Development in Canadian Infants of Asian and European Ethnic Origins

Mayson, T. A., Backman, C. L., Harris, S. R., Hayes, V. E. — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 12:30:54 PDT

Ethnic origin is one factor that may influence the rate or sequence of infant motor development, interpretation of screening test results, and decisions regarding early intervention. The primary purpose of this study is to compare motor development screening test scores from infants of Asian and European ethnic origins. Using a cross-sectional design, the authors analyzed Harris Infant Neuromotor Test (HINT) scores of 335 infants of Asian and European origins. Factorial ANOVA results indicated no significant differences in test scores between infants from these two groups. Although several limitations should be considered, results of this study indicate that practitioners can be relatively confident in using the HINT to screen infants of both origins for developmental delays.

Television Viewing and Symptoms of Inattention and Hyperactivity Across Time: The Importance of Research Questions

Stevens, T., Barnard-Brak, L., Yen To, — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 12:30:54 PDT

The importance of well-specified research questions in the evaluation of early predictors of later inattention and hyperactivity is examined. In an analysis of a nationally representative sample of 2,717 children aged 4 to 10, latent growth trajectories for television viewing and inattention and hyperactivity are determined and the relationship of the two constructs examined. Analyses reveal a logistic latent growth model as the best description of the trajectory of television viewing across time, whereas a quadratic trend represents the best portrayal of the trajectory for symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity. Results do not support the presence of a meaningful relationship between television viewing and inattention and hyperactivity, which is inconsistent with previous findings from the same data set. The importance of the nature of well-specified research questions and the need to use contemporary longitudinal evaluation techniques to avoid misleading conclusions based on limited analyses and results are discussed.

Contributing Factors to South Korean Early Childhood Educators' Strategies for Addressing Children's Challenging Behaviors

Yeon Ha Kim, , Stormont, M., Espinosa, L. — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 12:30:54 PDT

Early childhood educators should be prepared to intervene when children demonstrate challenging behaviors. Researchers have reported many factors that may influence teachers' behavior management strategies. The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships among specific program, teacher, and child factors and teachers' strategies for addressing young children's challenging behaviors. The second purpose of this study was to determine if the factors identified by researchers with young children and their teachers in the United States extends to teachers and young children in South Korea. The participants in this study included a sample of 236 preschool and child care center teachers serving children in South Korea. To measure teachers' reported strategies for addressing challenging behaviors, we developed the Teacher Strategy Questionnaire (TSQ). Findings from this study indicated that program, teacher, and child factors contributed to teachers' strategies for addressing challenging behaviors. Specifically, teachers' beliefs regarding developmentally appropriate practices, center level support, and severity of children's challenging behaviors were associated with reported strategies for addressing problem behaviors.

Social StoriesTM Improve the On-Task Behavior of Children With Language Impairment

Schneider, N., Goldstein, H. — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 12:30:54 PDT

On-task behaviors are examined for three elementary-aged children who had impaired language and challenging behaviors that compromised their classroom participation and inclusion. A multiple-baseline design across participants was used. Each participant showed improvements in on-task behavior following Social Story^TM intervention. Participants generalized and maintained their behaviors following the end of intervention. Results indicate a large effect size and that Social Stories^TM might be an effective strategy for increasing on-task behavior for children with impaired language.

A Longitudinal Examination of Father Involvement With Children With Developmental Delays: Does Timing of Diagnosis Matter?

Dyer, W. J., McBride, B. A., Jeans, L. M. — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 12:30:54 PDT

With a representative sample of U.S. children born in 2001, growth curve modeling was used to investigate the association between father—child involvement and the developmental status of the child. Three groups of children, which varied by timing of developmental delay diagnosis, were compared for father involvement trajectories. These groups of children were compared with each other as well as to a group of children without developmental delays. Group comparisons indicate many more similarities than differences, and implications for service providers are discussed.