Using an "at-risk" sample of African American girls, the present study examined the link between girls' retrospective reports of pubertal timing, girls' perceived relative pubertal timing, and their behavioral and emotional problems as rated by the girls themselves (N = 102; 11-17 years), as well as teachers and parents. Structural equation…

Objectives: This article describes the use of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) as a theme to connect the learning of basic neurosciences with clinical applications across the age span within a systems-based, integrated curricular structure that emphasizes problem-based learning. Methods: In collaboration with the Centers for Disease…

This article includes descriptions of a process used to conduct practice-based research syntheses and the manner in which synthesis findings are used to inform and evaluate early childhood intervention practices. The main focus of a practice-based research synthesis is the unbundling of an intervention practice to identify those practice…

Explores development of cognitive representation in 20 infants 12 to 24 months of age with regard to (l) their understanding of agency in symbolic play (agent use), (2) recognition of their own mirror image, and (3) object permanence. Results were generally consistent with developmental sequences predicted by Fischer's Skill Theory for agent use…

Analysis of spontaneous language samples of six children (two to four years old) at three linguistic ages (defined by mean length of utterance in morphemes) replicated the proposed semantic ordering of question types. However, a stage characterized by uninverted forms was not supported. (CL)

The influence of referent type (Objects vs. Actions) and within-category referent relationships (functionally similar vs. perceptually similar) upon acquisition of lexical concepts by 12 infants were examined. Ss acquired object words and concepts in greater numbers than action words and concepts, suggestive of differences in the underlying…

Developmental stages in causal reasoning and causative expression are outlined to provide comparison with preschool handicapped children. Three stages within the preschool range are defined in terms of changes in causal schemes, field of centration, and experimental attitude and skills. Suggestions for assessment and special education are made.…

Three experiments tested whether 12- to 24-month-old children showed systematic search, persistence, and/or end-screen search in the invisible-displacement task. A fourth study tested whether end-screen search resulted from seeing the experimenter move his hand through the series of screens. (RH)

Investigates the development of preferences for different types of metaphors among subjects at seven ages (from 6 through 20 years). Subjects received incomplete sentences followed by metaphorical and literal completions and were asked to select their preferred completions. Pattern of preferences shifted with age. (Author/RH)

Introduces a notation system for representing the formal aspects of Erikson's theory of psychological development in adolescence (including consideration of stages and transitions from one stage to the next) and uses this notation system to raise and make some researchable questions regarding Erikson's conceptions of the crises of identity and…

Premeaningful vocalizations produced by nine normally developing and 10 Down's syndrome infants were recorded as part of a longitudinal study of language development. Both groups began to produce canonical, reduplicated babbling at 8 to 8 1/2 months of age, and trends regarding consonantal and vocalic development for both groups were similar…

Differences in moral development (as conceived by Kohlberg) were examined in a sample of delinquent teenagers. The repeater group was not found, as had been hypothesized, to be lower on moral maturity than those who engaged in less delinquency. (GC)

Investigates why young children who cannot seriate on the standard Piagetian task do seriate when given a task that uses different materials. Explores the process by which various levels of seriation ability are achieved. Findings are consistent with information-processing analyses of development but conflict with Piagetian stage theory.…

The article explores the dilemma of young gifted children (ages 4-8 years) in the evolution and resolution of their own system of morality. The author explains that research and observation has revealed a systematic appearance and disappearance of magical thinking (the hallmark of the onset of reasoning) in four stages. (PHR)