This commentary on the study reported in this monograph focuses on three topics raised by the study: (1) social systems, or individuals in the context of institutions; (2) the study of development through the use of disabled populations as experiments in human growth; and (3) the ability of intervention programs to manipulate development. (BC)

Graded school concept, born of administrative practicality and puritanical traditions, has promulgated its lockstep curriculum, its simplistic child development assumptions, and its sexist, isolationist teaching methods since the mid-1800s. Most natural learning environment calls for heterogeneous multiage groupings, within which other groupings…

A study of the everyday pretending of children in nine middle-class families addressed fundamental issues about the social nature of early pretend play. Children were followed from 12 to 48 months of age. Children's pretending occurred predominantly in interaction with others. (GLR)

Study of the visual development of 38 infants, children, and youths who were neurologically impaired following perinatal hypoxia found that all children showed impairments of 1 or more visual functions, though visual development continued and visual improvements were demonstrated up to age 16. (Author/JDD)

Introduces the theme of this issue, which expands comparative education topics inward, toward the developmental perspective of the child, and outward, toward culture, historically situated. Discusses findings from the International Assessment of Educational Progress in terms of cultural differences in children's attitudes toward learning. (KS)

Reviews the following books: (1) "The Reading Crisis: Why Poor Children Fall Behind"; (2) "Prevention of Child Maltreatment: Developmental and Ecological Perspectives"; (3) "Attention and Information Processing in Infants and Adults: Perspectives from Human and Animal Research"; and (4) "Children's Interpersonal Trust: Sensitivity to Lying,…

This article presents a rationale for comprehensive developmental assessment for infants with cleft palates/lips and related disorders. The assessment model is based on risk factors influencing early development and on clinical research on developmental outcomes. Implications on the clinical assessment process and early intervention are discussed.…

Describes the Atlanta Children's Shelter, a day shelter for infants through five-year-olds, and for school-age children during holidays, whose families are currently living in a night shelter. Discusses how the shelter's educational program is tailored to the special needs and characteristics of homeless children. (TJQ)

Updates information provided in an earlier issue of this journal which examined the problem of drug-exposed infants. Focuses on three areas discussed in that issue: (1) the response of the courts and the legislatures to the problem; (2) the medical effects of prenatal exposure to cocaine; and (3) the impact of drug-exposed infants on the…

Investigates the verbal language experiences and early literacy learning of three prelingually, profoundly deaf preschool children across home and school contexts. Finds that, despite receptive language delay, all three children demonstrated knowledge and understanding of written language that were developmentally appropriate. Supports the theory…

The National PTA President writes about the PTA's desire for parents to cherish their children, noting the importance of the early years in developing emotionally and physically strong children. The article introduces the National PTA book, "Growing Up Confident," which presents practical ideas on good parenting. (SM)

The article discusses self-esteem as the key to parenting a successful, happy child. It notes ways parents can help foster self-esteem starting at a very early age. Ten suggestions for building a child's self-esteem, developed by the National PTA, are listed. (SM)

Discusses readiness for kindergarten, noting all children enter kindergarten at different developmental stages. The article examines common characteristics of kindergarten children and appropriate educational goals. It also makes recommendations to help parents enrich their children's experiences before and during kindergarten. (SM)

Six experiments involving 279 2- to 5-year-old children, 52 undergraduates, and 16 adults examined the interaction of perception and language in the development of magnitude marking of size, loudness, and achromatic color. Results suggest converging interactions between perception and language for size and loudness and antagonistic interactions…

This article introduces four papers (and responses to them) originally given at an April 1990 conference on the identification and treatment of dyslexia. Noted is the lack of consensus on what dyslexia is, how the condition comes to be, and what the nature of educational intervention ought to be, though developmental views are seen to predominate.…