Federal funding for this website ended in 2003, therefore few materials have been added since that time. Fortunately, there is continued interest in culturally and appropriate materials, curriculum, and programs. Because of this, we have allowed this site to remain as an archive. Please feel free to use this site, but recognize that it is no longer current.
Developmental Rainbow: Early Childhood Developmental Profile
Mahoney, G. and Mahoney, F. (1996). Developmental Rainbow: Early Childhood Developmental Profile. Tallmadge OH: Family Child Learning Center.
Summary:
The Developmental Rainbow is a comprehensive, detailed listing of developmental skills and behaviors that children are likely to manifest during the period from birth to five years of age. Items included in this profile were compiled and adapted from several developmental assessment instruments and preschool curricula that are listed in the bibliography. The items describe children's behavior across five domains including cognition, language, social-emotional functioning, motor development and self help skills. Each of these domains is subdivided into general categories of behavior, which reflect the major developmental accomplishments emphasized for children throughout the preschool years of life. The profile is in English.
The design of the profile is based upon three assumptions: the sequence and order of child development; the hierarchical nature of development; and the nature of relationships across developmental domains.
The instrument is administered by informal observation of a child's behavior. The detailed descriptions of skills and behaviors located in each section of the profile provide a list of behaviors and interactions to look for while observing children, and a terminology for describing what children do. These rich descriptions of children's behavior can help adults become more aware of the complex set of behaviors that evolve during the early years of life, and help us to recognize how the primitive behaviors om the early phases of development are precursors to higher level behaviors crucial for more advanced forms of human functioning. This descriptive system will help to broaden understanding of the functional significance of children's behavior, and increase ability to value the simple things children do. This descriptive taxonomy can be used as a means for helping parents and other caregivers fully appreciate the strengths and capabilities of the developing child.
Availability:
Family Child Learning Center
143 Northwest Avenue, Building A
Tallmadge OH 44278
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign