Background: The emergence of language in the early years is a major developmental accomplishment that underpins learning, enables social interaction and, later, is an indicator of well-being. Learning language is an effortless process for most, but can be challenging for others. There is a need to act early. First, because there are several…

Discusses teenage pregnancy, parenthood, and intervention programs in Canada. Focuses on the issues facing young women from severely disorganized backgrounds whose children are at-risk for developmental delay, emotional disturbance, maltreatment, and neglect. (RJC)

For over half a century, researchers have attempted to specify the effects of childrearing in socially depriving environments on child development, specifically studying the development of children from institutions found to provide few social and emotional interactions between caregivers and children and comparing findings to those for…

The cognitive model of delinquency prevention is based on research evidence that antisocial behavior arises from deficits in cognitive problem-solving and social interaction skills. The early acquisition of cognitive skills may help prevent delinquency in children who must contend with adverse environmental conditions. (SK)

This paper critically reviews the theoretical and empirical basis supporting the traditional early experience position formulated by Bloom and Hunt, discusses the factors responsible for the emergence of the newer life span position and the implications of this new view for understanding both the role of early experience and the facilitation of…

Discusses the role of the psychologist concerned with individual education and development in helping to redefine or identify effective environments of Black children. Focuses on developmental psychology and the public interest, and educational intervention and schooling. (RJC)

Investigates three central findings in human malnutrition research: (1) behavioral changes in infants and young children are observable outcomes of malnutrition; (2) non-nutritional factors in the environment affect child development; (3) nutritional supplementation with a consistent and varied regimen of stimulation hold potential for reversing…

Examines research findings on the resilience of infants and toddlers raised in poverty and stress. Describes the personal and environmental resilience characteristics of infancy and toddlerhood that are related to later resilience in middle childhood and adulthood. Highlights research findings significant for policymakers and caregivers, offering…

Research relevant to planning and practice in the area of infant mental health is discussed in this paper. First, three examples of research approaches that reflect current attitudes are given. The first example represents those studies in which there is an effort to closely coordinate physiological and behavioral studies. The second example…

In Latin America and the Caribbean, 240 million people, or 50 percent of the population, live in poverty. This report, written in Spanish, summarizes research by the Proyecto Costa Atlantica into the effects of such widespread poverty on the cognitive and social development of children. After an introduction on the general responses of the…