Reviews current research on infant and toddler physical development, cognitive development, and language acquisition. Provides a list of suggested activities, safety concerns, and opportunities for caregivers to enhance child development. (SD)

Argues that the arts provide a powerful means with which to promote future-oriented learning because they involve nonverbal, symbolic ways of knowing, thinking and communicating. Suggests that the arts in the emergent curriculum promote central education skills of discovery, pursuit, self-awareness, personal communication, social interaction,…

Academic risk taking--the selection of schoollike tasks ranging in difficulty and probability of success--was examined for 602 students in grades 4, 6, and 8 in Taiwan. Results of a self-report measure of tolerance for failure and a risk-taking task are discussed concerning self-enhancement versus self-assessment goals, metacognitive skills, and…

The reliance of 12, 18, and 22 children in grades 2, 4, and 6, respectively, on context- versus word-based information was studied. Factor analysis of error scores yielded a structure reflecting 3 information sources: graphophonic information; context to identify words; and comprehension monitoring. Age differences in decoding strategies were…

Examines research on effects of African American culture on development of black children's positive self-esteem. Finds that black children do not seem to have lower self-esteem than their white counterparts; they develop positive self-esteem and ethnic identities assisted by a supportive family environment, a strong kinship network, and the…

This reaction paper offers evidence for the effectiveness of nondirective instructional models with special needs young children. The construct of "developmentally appropriate practice" is viewed as a working hypothesis and as a continuous variable, not a dichotomous variable. Relationships between early childhood education and early childhood…

Discussion of problems presented by the introduction of preschool children into an elementary school setting focuses on implications for school librarians. Topics discussed include educational backgrounds of preschool teachers and school librarians; cooperation between teachers, librarians, and parents; characteristics of preschool children; and…

Discusses child morbidity, suggesting solutions can be found at the community level. Argues the federal government's role is essential in articulating policy and providing resources. Generates a new morbidity model emphasizing poverty and social factors as crucial influences. Lists priorities for effective, preventive, intervention planning. (NL)

Aspects of physical education teacher education that 12 participants reported were instrumental in developing understanding of and commitment to a movement approach (constructivist and developmental approach) are described. Coursework gave students a broader context for interpreting field experiences, whereas learning through doing exemplified and…

This article describes the Peabody Individual Achievement Test-Revised-Normative Update, an individually administered school achievement measure for students from kindergarten through grade twelve. The test assesses students' knowledge of general information, reading recognition, reading comprehension, mathematics, spelling, and written…

Examined dimensions and patterns of parenting among 193 low-income African American single mothers with preschoolers. Identified four parenting patterns (aggravated but nurturant, cognitively stimulating, patient and nurturant, and low nurturance). Found that maternal well-being and sociodemographic characteristics accounted for 93 percent of…

Provides brief descriptions of major types of early childhood programs, and reviews what is known about the effects of early childhood programs on children and their families. The authors also consider how those effects come about and why effectiveness varies across programs. Five policy questions and recommendations are discussed regarding how…

A parent questionnaire was used to assess cognitive, linguistic, and socio-communicative skills of 48 Cherokee and 37 Caucasian children ages 3-5. Cherokee scores were significantly lower across all three areas, but differences became smaller as age increased. Lower scores may reflect cultural differences in parenting rather than a language delay…

Data from the Children in the Community Study, a community-based longitudinal study were used to investigate associations between paternal psychiatric disorders and child-rearing behaviors. Paternal psychiatric symptoms and behavior in the home were assessed among 782 families during the childhood and adolescence of the offspring. Paternal…

In Sweden, governmental decision-making is based on a social-democratic ideology and a system of representative democracy. In citizens' meetings, the democratic values and norms, that are both a requirement and goal, at are formed. This concept of democracy, and the value system behind it, permeates Swedish culture, and its institutions and…