Researchers seeking to make valid conclusions about engagement for young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) must first determine the reliability of estimates obtained across the conditions sampled. Working from that premise, we conducted a secondary data analysis of shared book readings between caregivers and their children with ASD, examining the contribution of measurement error on estimates

Children’s engagement is an important construct often reported in Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education. However, its utility depends on its definition, measurement, theory of change, and empirical evidence. Our purpose is to discuss innovations in Children’s Literacy Engagement (CLE) and report empirical evidence demonstrating how these advancements can be used to promote children’s

Adopting an “act-in-context” approach is helpful to researchers investigating situational variability in children’s active engagement in preschool classrooms. Aligned with this approach, we propose an empirical pathway and a conceptual model to support examinations of contextual factors hypothesized to impact active engagement as well as the means by which adults promote it. We defined two overarching

Deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) children experience systematic barriers to equitable education due to intentional or unintentional ableist views that can lead to a general lack of awareness about the value of natural sign languages and insufficient resources supporting sign language development. Furthermore, an imbalance of information in favor of spoken languages often stems from a phonocentric perspective

Vocabulary plays a critical role in later reading achievement of emergent bilingual children (EBC) who are learning two languages. Given emerging vocabulary intervention research for EBC, we synthesize studies on vocabulary interventions designed for preschool and kindergarten EBC to provide the cumulative knowledge on the following dimensions: (a) EBC’s characteristics, (b) features of selected target

Parent-mediated intervention can enhance parents’ competence in supporting parent–child social interactions. Research and current policy have highlighted the importance of building family capacity in supporting parents to help children with autism develop social communication abilities. Parents who experienced parent-mediated interventions have reported reduced parenting stress; however, few studies

Using an implementation science framework, this study examines the impact of a multicomponent professional development (PD) approach implemented by internal peer coaches on early intervention providers’ use of Family Guided Routines-Based Intervention. The experimental study used a single-case multiple baseline design across participants, replicated in three sites with early interventionist (EI) providers

Early math skills predict later academic achievement and are of critical importance in preschool. There also are discrepancies in early math skills of preschoolers with disabilities compared with their typically developing peers. We used an experimental single-case research design, multiple probe across skills, to investigate the effectiveness of systematic modeling with mathematical language and a

Providing opportunities for reflection is one way to gain a deeper understanding of teacher candidate’s perceptions of diversity and how their perceptions regarding diversity evolve. We conducted a qualitative content analysis of reflections to explore teacher candidate’s perceptions regarding instructional material selection. By prompting teacher candidates to consider their selection of materials

Teaching children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) academic skills supports their future opportunities. For example, early number sense skills are predictive of future mathematical success for all children including children with ASD. Yet, research on foundational early childhood mathematics skills of children with ASD is limited. This study used an adapted version of Number Talks to increase the

This review was designed to characterize current intervention research for increasing imitation for young children with disabilities. We identified 34 unique sources including assessments of different types of massed trial and embedded trial interventions. Across intervention types, when evaluated via the Single Case Analysis and Review Framework (SCARF), positive outcomes were more likely to occur

All young children have the right to early learning opportunities in which they are positioned to learn, grow, and participate as valued members of their families, programs, and communities. However, substantial societal inequities directly impact access to equitable education for all children. Young children navigate social worlds in which racism, ableism, and many other intersecting oppressions operate

We surveyed early childhood personnel to explore reported practices during the initial evaluation of young children for early intervention or preschool special education. One hundred early childhood personnel participated. Overall, reported evaluation practices and processes matched recommended practices and met legal guidelines, including gathering information from a variety of sources and the use

Parents are encouraged to read to their children as early as possible. Multiple studies of parent–child shared book reading with children ages 3 years and older have shown positive outcomes on parent use of language-based strategies and child language development. However, few studies have included children under the age of 3; thus, little is known about interventions for parent–child shared book reading

Advancing equity in early childhood education is crucial as our broader society faces issues of inequities across systems, including education. Professionals must honor children’s home language and cultural contexts, coming from a perspective of value and respect rather than from a traditionally dominant, Eurocentric perspective. Through this sutdy, we share the perspectives of 22 parents of dual-language

Young children with Down syndrome (DS) often demonstrate impaired oral vocabulary development; however, few intervention studies have focused on this population. One promising method to improve the oral vocabulary of young children with DS may be to train their parents to intervene at home. In this study, we used tele-education methods (e.g., videoconferences, email) to coach parents to implement an

Rasch and classification analyses on a field-test version of the Assessment, Evaluation, and Programming System Test—Third Edition (AEPS-3), a curriculum-based assessment used to assess young children birth to age 6 years, were conducted. First, an evaluation of the psychometric properties of data from each developmental area of an AEPS-3 field-test version was conducted. Next, cutoff scores at 6-month

Young children with and without disabilities who are bilingual or in the process of learning multiple languages have many strengths; however, educational policies and bias related to bilingualism for children from linguistically minoritized groups have typically included deficit-based views. The purpose of this systematic review was to identify how researchers describe these children and their caregivers

Many early intervention systems are focused on “fixing” children to support development and inclusion. However, we need to acknowledge systemic racism and bias to focus on early settings, schools, and practitioners who are ready for all children. Furthermore, knowledge about the existence of bias and its possible harmful effects support a need for thoughtful, systems-level decisions. We propose a conceptual

Multiple scholars have argued that early childhood inclusive education research and practice has often retained racialized, ableist notions of normal development, which can undermine efforts to advance justice and contribute to biased educational processes and practices. Racism and ableism intersect through the positioning of young children of Color as “at risk,” the use of normalizing practices to

The Family Outcomes Survey–Revised (FOS-R) measures family outcomes of services for young children with disabilities or developmental delays, and can be used to investigate change in outcome achievement over time. To confirm the validity of FOS-R change scores, it must be established that the FOS-R measures the same construct over time; if so, score changes can be attributed to family outcome achievement

In this article, we draw on DisCrit to critically analyze how a group of early childhood educators approached assistance with young children of color with disabilities in a Head Start inclusion classroom. Using examples from data collected over one school year, we demonstrate how child-centered assistance advances justice for young children of color with disabilities who are often subjected to a surveillance

Young learners often are enchanted with the world, fascinated by the ordinary, and absorbed in the present moment. We explore interconnected ideas about how young children’s natural proclivity toward being curious, and noticing differences among people should be harnessed toward socially just ends. We consider ways in which joyfulness in learning are preserved, as teachers partner with young learners

Early childhood personnel preparation programs must prepare future early educators who can counteract racism and ableism to provide all children with an equitable and just education. We applied Dis/ability Critical Race Theory (DisCrit) Classroom Ecology to early childhood and specifically to preschool settings. We argue that early childhood personnel preparation programs can utilize this framework

Challenging behavior is an obstacle to social-emotional competence for young children. Function-based behavior support can promote positive outcomes for children and their families, and family collaboration is an important component of successful positive behavior support programs. However, little is known about how families and educators collaborate to support young children with challenging behaviors

Early learning and development standards (ELDS) describe the knowledge, skills, and dispositions young children should demonstrate before kindergarten. This article describes a review of state ELDS for children from birth to 5 years of age to determine if they included information and guidance about the learning needs of young children with developmental delays. A national search of ELDS located 79

The term functional play is used widely and variably in serving young children developing with delays, affecting its use in research and practice. It also is confused with play as a functional goal...

This topical issue consists of a collection of five empirical articles that use different methods and models to examine the dynamic interrelation between language skills and behavior problems within early childhood classrooms. The linkage between language and behavior problems among young children from families living in poverty has elicited considerable attention in the past two decades. The special

We examined the effects of the least-to-most prompting (LTM) procedure with contingent imitation (CI) on increasing the frequency and diversity of pretend play in children with autism spectrum diso...

Background:All children benefit from intentional interactions and instruction to become socially and emotionally competent. Over the past 30 years, evidence-based intervention tactics and strategie...

Potential bidirectional associations between preschool classroom overactive (or externalizing) and underactive (or internalizing) behaviors and language and literacy skills (i.e., vocabulary and listening comprehension) were examined in a sample of children enrolled in Head Start (N = 297). Cross-lagged panel designs using structural equation modeling (SEM) were conducted using data gathered through

We explore the classification accuracy of a parent and teacher report measure, the Inventory to Assess Language Knowledge (ITALK), to screen for developmental language disorder (DLD) in bilingual c...

Guided by an ecological model, we tested whether teacher–child interaction quality buffered the negative associations between challenging behavior within preschool classroom contexts and language and literacy skills. Associations were examined for a sample of children enrolled an urban Head Start program (N = 304 children across 53 classrooms). Findings from multilevel models supported direct associations

Some evidence suggests that the home numeracy environment (HNE) is related to children’s numeracy. Socioeconomic status (SES) and language minority status can also influence children’s HNE and numeracy. Limited HNE research focuses on dual language learners (DLLs). Using a sample of preschool-aged children (n = 98) from low socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds, we examined differences between Spanish-speaking

Play represents an important component of early childhood education and is linked to the development of communication and social skills, particularly for children with developmental disabilities wh...

The purpose of this study is to examine the bidirectional relationship between children’s language development and challenging behaviors as well as the moderating roles of gender and race/ethnicity. We conducted a number of structural equation modeling analyses with a national representative sample (N = 2,462) of Head Start children from the 2014 Head Start Family and Child Experiences Survey. Results

We examined the relations between language skills and behavior problems and whether social skills mediated these relations among preschool children enrolled in Head Start programs. Participants included 242 preschool children and their parents in Head Start programs. Over a 2-year period, parents and teachers reported children’s behavior problems using the Child Behavior Checklist Ages 1½-5, and social

The goal of this study was to extend what is known about factors that contribute to the language-learning environment in early childhood classrooms. Two primary research questions were addressed: (a) Are measures of teacher use of classroom-wide positive behavior intervention and support (PBIS) strategies associated with the quality of teacher language support? and (b) Do teachers who receive program-wide

The topic of this special issue of Topics in Early Childhood Special Education is “Research to Practice for Dual Language Learners (DLLs) in Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education (EI/ECSE).” Young children who speak languages other than English at home are one of the fastest growing populations in the United States, and the EI/ECSE field needs to respond by developing evidence-based

All young children have the right to early learning opportunities in which they are positioned to participate as valued members of their families, early childhood programs, and communities. However, substantial inequities plaguing society directly impact access to equitable education for all children. Young children are navigating social worlds in which ableism and racism (and other intersecting oppressions)

The progress-monitoring data collection is an essential skill for teachers serving children for whom the general curriculum is insufficient. As the field of early childhood education moves toward tiered service provision models, the importance of routine data collection is heightened. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of a training package on preschool teachers’ implementation of progress-monitoring

Paraeducators play an important role supporting children with developmental disabilities in early childhood settings, and the current educational system has come to rely heavily on paraeducator sup...

We examined whether two facets of preschool children’s home environment, parenting style and parental emotional intelligence, may be risk factors for challenging behaviors among kindergarten childr...

Professional development (PD), which includes coaching, has demonstrated the capacity to affect preschool teachers’ use of evidence-based practices. The present study explored how coaches facilitated conversations within practice-based coaching (PBC) partnerships. A direct behavioral observation coding system was developed to investigate (a) the proportion of time spent in different conversational

For young Spanish–English dual language learners (SE-DLLs), early literacy skills, including phonological awareness and alphabet knowledge in Spanish as well as English, are crucial to their reading success. However, there is a lack of research about how SE-DLLs develop early literacy skills, and how their rates of performance can inform evidence-based intervention. This article examined to what degree

Multitiered systems of support provide a framework for matching the needs of a struggling student with an appropriate intervention. Experimental evaluations of tiered support systems in grade schoo...

Teacher self-efficacy (TSE) is a frequently studied construct due to its positive relations with student outcomes. However, TSE of teachers in inclusive early childhood special education (ECSE) cla...

The social validity of intervention research has been emphasized in special education and related fields for decades. There is relatively little focus on social validity that considers culturally and linguistically diverse populations. Eleven articles met the inclusionary criteria for this systematic review and were evaluated to describe social validity in early language intervention research—specifically

Evidence-based treatments for young children with developmental language delays include caregiver-implemented naturalistic interventions. However, there is little research on culturally appropriate interventions for Spanish-speaking caregivers from low–socioeconomic status (SES) households and their young children with identified language delays. We compared interaction strategies of Latino Spanish-speaking

Collaboration with caregivers and between disciplines and agencies is a recommended practice in the field of early intervention and early childhood special education (EI/ECSE) as well as required b...

While caregiver coaching approaches in early intervention have a comprehensive literature base, the field continues to experience a research-to-practice gap in the implementation of capacity-buildi...

Children who are dual language learners (DLLs) often have more difficulty acquiring English early literacy skills than their English monolingual peers. Much remains to be learned about efficacious early literacy instructional interventions and their effects on English early literacy skills of DLLs. The purposes of this systematic review were to describe key features of English early literacy interventions

Inclusive experiences for all children are foundational to New Zealand early childhood education, yet teacher beliefs and practices related to identification and referral processes may be delaying ...

Although most scholars identify Wolf’s (1978) seminal article as describing the origins of social validity, a more careful analysis reveals earlier precursors. An inductive process of research began in 1967 that culminated in a set of goals and procedures that defined the concept of social validity (Fixsen, 2019). This process began when Wolf and his doctoral students established The Achievement Place

We used a multiple-probe single-case research design to examine the effect of a professional development package that included real-time technology-enhanced performance-based feedback and video ana...

Positive social experiences with peers are important for children with disabilities attending inclusive early childhood education (ECE). This study investigated the associations between classroom quality; children’s verbal, social, and behavioral skills; and the friendships and social acceptance of children with disabilities, while testing the moderating effects of ECE dosage. Eighty-six children with

Interventions designed for children with disabilities and their families should be socially valid. Parent-implemented Communication Strategies-Storybook (PiCSS) is an intervention package designed to coach parents on shared storybook reading and naturalistic teaching strategies. In PiCSS program, the participating parents used the communication teaching strategies with high fidelity, and children responded

Social stories are a commonly used intervention practice in early childhood special education. Recent systematic reviews have documented the evidence base for social stories, but findings are mixed...

We sought to identify, examine, and summarize empirical literature focused on early childhood behavior interventions examined using a single case research designs (SCD) and published between 2001 and 2018. Using systematic procedures, 28 studies that met established inclusion criteria were identified, reviewed, and compared with respect to general and social validity assessment characteristics of SCD

Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBIs) are evidence-based interventions implemented by the adults in a child’s natural environment (e.g., by practitioners in classrooms). The social validity of this body of research may have an impact on the maintenance of practitioner implementation of NDBIs. We conducted a systematic review to evaluate the components (i.e., goals, procedures