Self-regulation and self-determination are part of a continuum of behaviors that are acquired through interaction with the social and physical environment and through problem solving based on experiences that begin in infancy and build throughout early childhood. These abilities should be nurtured early for all children, especially within the…

The author examines the effect of blindness on a child's acquisition of reaching, grasping, and crawling skills which are said to be necessary for coping effectively with the environment. (GW)

The paper focuses on the needs of visually impaired preschoolers in various developmental areas. The importance of attachment to a significant other for establishing trust is outlined and the fact that body awareness, object permanence, range of motion, spatial awareness and orientation must be logically and actively introduced is cited. Aspects…

Relevant orientation and mobility (OM) skills for visually impaired infants foster sensory, motor, and conceptual development. OM personnel need to consider alternative teaching models, personnel preparation needs, sensory aids issues, and research issues. (DB)

The paper details the impact of blindness and visual impairments on young children's development. Specific developmental risks are examined for the following areas (sample difficulties in parentheses): body awareness (delayed concept of object permanence), motor development (lack of incentive to explore and resultant delay in purposeful movement),…

Article translated and adapted from one that appeared in LES ANNALS D'OCCULISTIQUE, May 1967.

Describes the development of the motor section of Peabody College's preschool orientation and mobility (O&M) project curriculum for children with visual impairments. Theoretical foundations and curriculum design, as well as specific applications of motor skills to the development of formal O&M skills are presented. (SM)

A set of developmental norm data for reflexive and voluntary visual-motor development was compiled, revised after extensive clinical use, and found to have highly significant interrater agreement. Use of the resultant Erhardt Developmental Visual Assessment is illustrated with a multiply handicapped three-year-old. (Author/JDD)

Available in English and French and intended for parents and professional workers such as nursery school teachers and day care workers, the handbook provides information on the way visual impairment affects the child's development and instructions for guidance in the early years. Sections cover the following topics: reactions to blindness by the…

This text assists parents and other caregivers in stimulating the young child with a severe visual impairment, in order to encourage development of normal behaviors which blindness delays and to prevent the appearance of psychological disturbances. Simple language and illustrations describe the stages of child development from newborn to 3 years…

This literature review examines the development and early language acquisition of infants with blindness or visual impairments. The paper begins with a history of public perceptions of individuals with visual disabilities, efforts to develop educational programs for them, and legislation supporting these efforts. Review of the literature on early…

This guide provides a curriculum model for preschool programs specifically designed for preschool children (ages 3-5) with visual impairments. The book provides an extensive review of the literature with measurable behavioral objectives for each developmental level. Chapter 1, "Psychological Evaluation for the Preschool Visually Impaired Child"…

This handbook provides an overview of the development of young children with visual impairments and their educational needs. The first three chapters outline the developmental path followed by sighted children and contrast this with the lives of children who are visually impaired, introduce the professionals who commonly work with children who are…