Three experiments examined understanding of scalar implicature, specifically understanding that use of a term (e.g., some) indicates the speaker had reasons not to use a more informative term (e.g., all). Results reveal consistent ordering in which representations of weak scalar terms tend to be treated logically by young competent participants…

Researchers affiliated with the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development are observing the lives of more than 1,000 children from infancy into their school years in order to identify early influences on learning and literacy. This paper describes the project, noting positive and negative aspects of and reactions to this effort. (SM)

Evidence is reviewed on the prevalence of sensory and motor abnormalities in autism and the effectiveness of three interventions designed to address such abnormalities: sensory integration therapy, traditional occupational therapy, and auditory integration training. Results of these limited studies provided no firm support for the interventions.…

The socioemotional integrity of 17 children with specific language impairment (SLI) and 20 age-matched unaffected children was examined at kindergarten and first grade. Significant differences between groups were found for internalizing, social, and attention problems with little congruence or stability over time in clinical ratings. Results…

This study examined children's process of adapting to the preschool setting and established the effect of developmental disharmonies on this process. Findings indicate that children display some behavior disorders during the entry phase to the preschool setting and that serious developmental disharmonies were accompanied by these disorders.…

Explored the developmental nature of learning styles among young African American children. Children's help-seeking behaviors were observed, coded, and tallied. Type of help solicitation significantly affected help source. Age and kind of activity did not significantly affect help source. Children approached teachers more than peers for social…

Describes qualities of a good preschool child-development program: Competent staff, parent partnerships, administrative support, and school board support. Provides list of online resources. (PKP)

Describes the Early Head Start program, which provides children ages six-weeks to three-years old and their families, with special attention to promote personal growth and educational success. The parents of program participants are also provided with educational opportunities to improve the quality of family life. Studies indicate that the Early…

In a Baltimore Head Start center, a support group for fathers assists them with child-rearing skills and child-development knowledge. Key principles are recognizing fathers' role, respecting their feelings and opinions, and valuing their cultural background. (SK)

Aspects of language that develop during the adolescent years are discussed in the domains of pragmatics, syntax, and semantics. Selected topics include complex conversational behaviors that adolescents employ, syntactic attainments associated with persuasive writing; and the understanding of proverbs and figurative expressions. Relevant…

Investigates the extent to which parents' well-being and parenting styles provide a basis of the development of their children's cognitive and behavioral strategies in primary school. Reveals that maternal depressive symptomatology was associated with their children's use of maladaptive strategies, whereas maternal authoritative parenting styles…

School-age child care (SACC) is a relatively new social institution, and effective SACC programs must balance academic, recreational, and enrichment needs of child development. Outcomes of a study in two states to review program operations, staffing, activities, community involvement, and evaluation indicate that programs focus on academics and…

This article evaluates three early intervention approaches--applied behavior analysis, TEAACH (Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped Children), a structured classroom-based program, and relationship therapy/"floor time"--to identify which aspects of each approach complement individual learning styles…

Technology and the media have replaced community, and no longer reinforce the information, values, and skills that parents want to teach their children. Interview explains how camps build community to foster a sense of shared purpose, values, and skills; model positive behaviors and relationships; and develop children's responsibility,…

Examined contributions of dimensions of maternal responsiveness to timing of milestones in early expressive language development. Found that maternal responsiveness at 9 and 13 months predicted timing of language milestones over and above children's observed behaviors. Responsiveness at 13 months was a stronger predictor of timing than…