The Handicapped Child in the Regular Kindergarten Classroom

Abstract

Fifteen mildly and moderately handicapped kindergarten-age children and four classrooms of typical kindergarten students and their teachers were the subjects of this investigation. The behavior and interaction of the handicapped students with teachers and peers In the mainstreamed setting was compared to that of nonhandicapped students. Teachers rated handicapped students as successful, partially successful, and unsuccessful. Characteristics distinguishing the three groups of students were identified. High levels of social interaction skills and behaviors were not necessarily correlated with teachers' perception of success. Rather, task behavior and independent task performance were correlated with success. The results were discussed in light of the varied goals for mainstreaming.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Anastasiow, N. Strategies and models for early childhood intervention programs in integrated settings. In M. Guralnick (Ed.), Early intervention and integration of handicapped and non handicapped children . Baltimore: University Park Press , 1978.

Blacher-Dixon, J. , and Turnbull, A. Preschool mainstreaming: Definitions, rationale, and implications. Education Unlimited, April 1, 1979.

Bricker, D.D. A rationale for the integration of handicapped and nonhandicapped preschool children. In M. Guralnick (Ed.), Early intervention and integration of handicapped and nonhandicapped children . Baltimore: University Park Press , 1978.

Cooke, T.P. ; Ruskus, J.A. ; Apolloni, T. ; and Peck, C. Handicapped preschool children in the mainstream: Background, outcomes, and clinical suggestions. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education , April 1981, 1(1).

Foster, J. , and Headley, N. Education in the kindergarten. New York: American Book Co., 1948.

Heffernan, H. , and Todd, V. The kindergarten teacher. Boston: Heath, 1960.

LeBlanc, J. ; Etzel, B. ; and Domash, M. A functional curriculum for early intervention. In K. E. Allen , J. A. Holm , & R. L. Schiefelbusch (Eds.), Early intervention-A team approach. Baltimore: University Park Press, 1978.

Ross, E. The kindergarten crusade: The establishment of preschool education in the United States. Athens: Ohio University Press, 1976.

Safford, P.L. , and Rosen, L.A. Mainstreaming: Application of a philosophical perspective in an integrated kindergarten program. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education , April 1981, 1(1),

10.

Vincent, L.J. ; Salisbury, C. ; Walter, G. ; Brown, P. ; Gruenewald, L.J. ; and Powers, M. Program evaluation and curriculum development in early childhood special education: Criteria of the next environment. In W. Sailor , B. Wilcox , and L. Brown (Eds.), Methods of instruction for severely handicapped students. Baltimore: Paul Brookes , 1980.

11.

Weber, E. The kindergarten: Its encounter with educational thought in America. New York: Teachers' College Press, 1969.