Learning in the earliest stage of life--the infancy, toddlerhood and preschool period--is relational and rapid. Child-initiated and adult-mediated conversations, playful interactions and learning through active involvement are integral to young children making sense of their environments and to their development over time. The child's experience…

A role model is someone an individual looks up to and wants to be like--but also someone an individual connects with as a person. There is a special relationship between a child and a teacher, particularly in the early childhood years. Teachers must think carefully about how their manner affects the children in their classrooms. This article…

A Foster-Grandparent Program group received part-time mothering'' by elderly institutional aids for a period of up to more than 4 years. A control group resided in a similar institution which did not provide supplementary foster grandparent'' care. There was a significant difference in IQ in favor of the FGP children. (Author)

Reviews the research concerning how the classroom environment--classroom ambiance, privacy, density and crowding, and arrangement of play and learning centers--can influence young children's play and social, emotional, and intellectual development. (BB)

This book presents 350 classroom-tested activities for use with children to create an environment that will stimulate young children's brains. Designed to be used by families, classroom teachers, family childcare providers, or others caring for young children, the book includes information on current brain research and describes interest areas in…

Presents theoretical background for building an early childhood curriculum based on the Educare approach. Five principles are explained. They emphasize that learning drives development and that social interaction, interpersonal relationships, mutual understanding, and culture are unique in developmental processes. Concludes that teachers can have…

This curriculum guide addresses the physical, intellectual, and emotional growth of children. Four categories, those of physical growth, social growth, emotional growth, and development of communication skills, are said to have been selected in an effort to promote total development. Each category is described in terms of desirable concepts, along…

This position paper surveys recent study results on the variable effects of both socioeconomic status and parent-child relationships on the development of competence in young children. Research results imply that certain ways that parents interact with their children are more effective than others in aiding the development of a child's social,…

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…

This report surveys writings by National Institute of Mental Health grant recipients who have investigated this first five years of life. The authors attempted to identify and correlate ideas, themes, perspectives and issues which can be useful in the formulation and evaluation of social policies related to infant and child development. Major…

Noting that although there have been admirable initiatives in public health, education, pediatrics, and the law to improve the lot of children, few have tried to identify the fundamental requirements of a healthy childhood, this book explores seven needs of infants and young children and their families that provide the fundamental building blocks…

Kindergarten marks a new beginning for parents and their children, and presents challenges for parents as their child makes the transition between home and school. This handbook describes what parents can expect from their child's Catholic kindergarten program in Alberta, Canada. The handbook describes how young children learn, how their learning…