Compared exploratory, symbolic, and social play and interaction of Argentine and U.S. 20-month olds and their mothers. Found patterns of cultural similarity in sex differences and differences in the use of exploratory and symbolic play. Overall, Argentine and U.S. dyads used different modes of exploration, representation, and interaction,…

Examines verbal and nonverbal communications employed in Hispanic families to correct children's speech and nonverbal behaviors, examining the interactions across various settings. Data come from video recordings taken in natural settings in Hispanic communities. Generally, parents employed unmodulated corrections and bald imperatives to direct…

Examined children's perceptions of peer behaviors to identify those likely to result in social rejection. Found three behavior groups leading to negative peer evaluation: academic- disruptive, anxious-depressed, and aggressive-antisocial. Found younger children were more negative toward disruptive and aggressive behavior, older children more…

Compared stress levels in families of children with Down syndrome (DS), Williams syndrome (WS), or Smith-Magenis syndrome (SMS). Found that DS families experienced less Pessimism than others and less Parent and Family Problems than SMS families. Strongest predictors of Parent and Family Problems were maladaptive behavior in SMS, younger age in DS,…

Observed engagement of children in 17 child care environments as a way to assess program quality. Found that children in centers that met only minimal licensing requirements had lower levels of engagement than other children, and that center quality was related to quality of experience. (LBT)

Examined impact of a 5-week parent education course on parent-reported behavior of children whose parents were randomly assigned to parent education group or control group. Found that parent education did not affect boys' behavior change; younger boys showed more improvement than older. Parent education was associated with improved girls'…

Reviews the literature on: (1) health-related effects of video games (VGs), including seizures, physiologic responses, and musculoskeletal injuries; (2) eye-hand coordination in VGs; (3) psychological adjustment related to VGs, including possible psychopathologies and violence-related effects; and (4) the educational impact of VGs. Also examines…

Often forgotten is the extent to which cultural beliefs and norms play a role in social and emotional development through interpretation of the acceptability of individual characteristics, and types and ranges of interactions and relationships that are likely or permissible. This article introduces a special journal issue devoted to examining…

Focuses on the nature of peer relationships of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) children, including relationship problems that are commonly manifested in the areas of academic, conduct, and social problems. Finds that children with ADHD experience numerous peer difficulties and may benefit from specially designed intervention. (SD)

Recognizes the influence of praise on human behavior, and provides specific suggestions on how to maximize the positive effects of praise when intended as positive reinforcement. Examines contingency, specificity, and selectivity aspects of praise. Cautions teachers to avoid the controlling effects of praise and the possibility that praise may…

Examined parent-child interaction during toddlers'"terrible twos" stage. Found that families experiencing difficulty could be identified, troubled behavior could be predicted based on family ecology, and families at moderate and high contextual risk were more likely to experience troublesome behavior when the child experienced 20 or more hours per…

Measures family communication environments of children in grades one, four, six, and seven, using dialogs of family communication with children identifying their family type. Reveals an interaction among family type, sex, and grade level for both social withdrawal and social self-restraint, suggesting that family communication environments may be…

Examines the relationship between parent-child interaction and a child's social status. Screened and rated third-grade children (n=82) as neglected, rejected, or average, by peer and teacher nomination. Observed children interacting with their mothers and cooperating on a task. Findings suggest a relationship between parent behavior and children's…

Studied Baumrind's approach to parenting style to examine the relations between parenting style and preschool children's social competence manifested through peer play. Found that mothers' and fathers' parenting style is related to children's play with peers, with an authoritative parenting style correlating to more complex levels of play. (SD)

Conducted interviews with families of children with or without disabilities to identify factors that facilitated or acted as barriers to children's inclusion in community settings. Found that a facilitative factor unique to children with disabilities was the availability of environmental adaptations in community settings. Barriers unique to…