Case studies of extremely gifted individuals often reveal unique patterns of intellectual precocity and associated abnormalities in development and behavior. This article begins with a review of current neurophysiological and neuroanatomical findings related to the gifted population. The bulk of scientific inquiries provide evidence of unique…

A brief review of the psychological literature on the characteristics of only children is presented in order to determine if the one-child family should be avoided or advocated. The relevant literature is found to be limited in quantity and conceptualization of the only child. Previous literature is divided into three types of study: those with…

If a toy is classed as "educational," some demonstrable educational outcome ought to result from playing with it. Formerly, games and toys designated as "educational" were often strategies for painlessly imparting school subjects to children. Today, "developmental skills" or "readiness experiences" are typical objectives of many of the toys on the…

Contains 15 articles investigating and discussing issues generated by Piaget's theory of cognitive development. Discusses and examines questions related to object permanence, transitivity, conservation and the concept of necessity as these relate to children. Deals with the origins and causes of development, logical development, social and…

Reviews the social-psychological research pertaining to female-headed families published between 1970-1980. Literature indicates that theoretically children do not need the presence of the same-sex/opposite-sex parents in the family to develop sex-role behavior. Suggests children in female-headed families are likely to have good emotional…

This paper reviews theoretical writings on the importance and function of imaginative play in the development of young children, and describes measurement instruments and instructional aids used for imaginative play in home and school settings. A historical summary of the function of play in the young child's life is presented. Early theories saw…

The increase in one child families in the 1980's is analogous to the one child family rate during the Depression years. Although family size was limited for economic reasons during the Depression, current increases in the number of one child families are attributed to advances in contraceptive technology, increased employment of women, inhibiting…

This paper reviews research reported in the last 10 years on the effects of day care on children and their families. The review is organized around the following areas: attachment and emotional development; psycho-social development; intellectual and cognitive development; health and nutritional effects; the effect of caregiver stability; the…

This paper is a working draft of a study which has examined the accumulated research on child growth and development. The draft is designed as an input paper to enable the Marin Social Studies Project to refine its rationale and criteria for a recommended K-12 social studies program of curriculum options. Identification of the capabilities of…