The engagement and adult and peer interaction of 37 young children with a range of disabilities was measured in free play, group, and meal-routine activities in inclusive childcare settings. A significant effect for activity type was found for total engagement, active engagement, and passive engagement, with the children being more engaged in…

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of manipulating toy sets on the social verbal interaction that occurs between preschool-age children with disabilities and their typically developing peers. A single-subject alternating-treatments design was used to evaluate the effects of manipulating social toy sets and isolate toy sets on…

This bibliography focuses on the impact of caregiver-infant interaction as a basis for child development. The bibliography is divided into five sections: (1) factors which influence the quality of interactions, (2) components of parent-child interactions, (3) comparison of interaction patterns of children with normal and delayed development, (4)…

The handicapped and nonhandicapped children changed differentially over time in their solitary activities and dominant interactions and in their interaction with handicapped and nonhandicapped peers, but these changes all moved in the direction of making the two groups less distinguishable. (Author/SBH)

This article presents a triadic interaction model that builds on and expands the strengths of the parent-infant dyad by providing contextual and interpersonal support for their interactions. The model gives explicit attention to the interactions among the three members of the early intervention triad: child, parent, and interventionist.…

Seventeen rating scales to assess parent-infant interactions are reviewed. A table provides identifying information, descriptive information, and psychometric qualities. Discussion includes implications for practice in the assessment of infants with disabilities and directions for future research. (Author/DB)

This study, involving 40 young siblings of either handicapped or nonhandicapped children, found that siblings of handicapped children engaged in more parallel and social play and were more nurturing with their siblings than were control children. Mothers were more likely to deliver commands, directives, and reprimands to siblings of handicapped…

This article addresses the adequacy of instruments for assessing family functioning and the process for introducing family assessment into early intervention services. Use of the Parent/Caregiver Involvement Scale illustrates how observation can be used to assess dyadic family interactions and can be interpreted to tailor intervention to…

Describes a study exploring the efficacy of disclosure as a stigma management strategy in normal-stigmatized interactions. Path analysis of the data indicates a process leading from uncertainty, tension, and attraction to acceptance/rejection, as expected. Findings are discussed in terms of stigma attributions and relational development. (JMF)

Supervisors of three integrated preschools were trained in a collaborative team approach to promoting children's peer interactions. Training resulted in classroom teachers increasing behaviors directed toward children with disabilities, a doubling of interactive play of children with disabilities, and increases in interactive play of comparison…

This study of teacher behavior and peer interactions in preschools found that peer interaction of children with disabilities was associated with resource teacher focus on groups that included children with disabilities and/or resource teachers' no response and was inversely associated with classroom teachers' focus on children with disabilities…

A study examined the impact of teaching handicapped students in regular vocational education classrooms on class interaction and instructional variables. During the study, researchers conducted individual interviews with 22 vocational education instructors from 11 randomly selected school districts throughout Texas and later conducted a total of…