A sample of 79 children from 5 to 8 years of age were observed for a 6-week period while they attended summer camp. Their inferential ability was assessed by asking each child to interpret a series of videotaped social episodes which were then related to their observed assertive and prosocial behaviors. (Author/JMB)

Examined mother-child interaction in play and teaching tasks. Mother-child interaction aggregates represented task orientation, positive emotion, and allowance of autonomy. Maternal interaction aggregates predicted teachers' ratings of children's positive social behavior, assertiveness, and sadness in the preschool setting. (BC)