The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of a 12-week intervention in 6 black and 9 white low income homes in order to modify maternal teaching behavior and influence child functioning. Home visitors worked with the mothers once a week mainly utilizing objects and events in the home for educational purposes. It was hypothesized that a home-visitor program directed toward the mother would improve her maternal teaching behavior and have effects on the cognitive functioning of her preschool-aged child. Measuring instruments used in a pre-test and post-test situation were the Stanford-Binet, Form L-M; the DARCEE Concept Test; and in a post-test only design, the Maternal Teaching Style Instrument (MTSI). Positive changes in maternal teaching style were achieved by experimental group mothers, especially in the area of cue labeling. Significant cognitive gains were achieved by the preschool target children on recognition skills on the DARCEE Concept Test while all other differences were in the predicted direction but statistically insignificant. The limited changes in the target children were attributed to the limited duration of the intervention. (MS/Author)