[Initial reports on experiences in working with special groups in child day care centers]

A decisive condition for advancement at an early stage is the detection of physical damage. In this connection the GDR Ministry of Public Health has published guidelines for the establishment of special groups for infants suffering from physical damage, at ordinary creches (Verfügungen und Mitteilungen 15/1976). In 1976/77 a total of eight special groups with 64 children were set up at creches in the city of Erfurt. The criteria for assigning children to such groups were age and the type/degree of damage, with the aim of having homogeneous group structures. Advancement was through an all-day teaching process, in which parents were involved by giving them guidance, inviting them for discussion evenings and calling on their homes. A description is given of the approach to teaching and methods and planning (written timetables for specific months, weeks and days), all of which are essential in creating adequate educational conditions taking into account individual differences in the level of performance and the prevailing primary damage (e.g. disablement, impaired hearing, marked milieu damage).