This review describes the prenatal and postnatal development of the human cortex. Neurogenesis, neuronal migration, dendrite maturation, synaptogenesis, and white matter development are discussed. In addition, the concept of "critical" or "sensitive" periods is discussed as well as genetic and environmental influences (Nature-Nurture). The effects…

Differences in language proficiency between social classes and races were studied to determine the effect of familiarity of the testing situation. Results showed no natural setting language differences. (ST)

Presented at the 66th Annual Convention of the National Catholic Educational Association, Detroit, Michigan, April 7-10, 1969.

Although the relationship between language and intellectual development in children is often ambiguous, language retardation appears to be one of the main ways that a disadvantaged environment hinders achievement. While American research has indicated that nursery education may effectively extend language experience, few studies have been done in…

A Piagetian analysis of social development focuses on the changes in children's social concepts and the social factors which facilitate these changes. Piaget's early analysis of children's language into a 3-stage transition from egocentrism to fully socialized speech led to more general study of social behavior. Observations of children playing at…

The works cited on this extensively annotated bibliography represent approaches for understanding the language development of disadvantaged children. The subjects covered are bilingualism and dialectology, developmental influences (ethnic, family and home, instructional, and social and economic) and developmental status and processes (behavioral,…

The structure of the testing condition is an important variable in measuring young children's language comprehension. This study examined effects of two testing conditions on the language comprehension scores of 24 toddlers, mean age 20.3 months. The methodology was based on the rationale that a test which allows parents to select stimuli which…

The rational for the curriculum design for three-year-old migrant children in an expanded-day educational program is presented. Consideration is given for each of the program phases, the learning environment, the rationale for a pre-service workshop and on-going in-service consultancy. This curriculum is based on the premise that, because of the…

THIS STUDY ATTEMPTED TO DETERMINE THE ENVIRONMENTAL PATTERNS (CHILD CARE PRACTICES, PARENTAL ATTITUDES, AND OTHER INTRAFAMILY AND EXTRAFAMILY INFLUENCES) WHICH ARE DETRIMENTAL OR BENEFICIAL TO THE OPTIMAL LEARNING AND INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT OF LOWER CLASS PUERTO RICAN CHILDREN. A SAMPLE POPULATION CONSISTED OF 95 CHILDREN WHOSE BEHAVIOR HAD BEEN…

Noting that recent advances in neuroscience and psychology make it possible to understand more clearly how parents help to shape their children's brain development, this book discusses what is becoming known about how young children acquire language, develop emotional ties, gain control of their own emotions, become able to experience the joy and…