Examines the process of language acquisition as well as scientists' understanding of the intricate process of learning to talk. Specifically addresses: (1) foundations of language; (2) prenatal period; (3) first month after birth; and (4) conversation. Also discusses adult-child activities that stimulate language-learning. (SD)

Compares ontogenetic models, which stress development through a series of stages; sociogenic models, which stress the influence of social context on adult behavior; and liberative models. Liberative models do not treat adult development as entirely dependent on biological or social determinism, and do stress individuals' conscious efforts at…

Notes two faulty aspects of the Reznick et al., twin study (PS 526 688): the expressive language measure at 14 months, which has practically no spread of item difficulty, as well as measures included to assess specific cognitive characteristics; and the notion of infant transition as it affects interpretation of the results. (HTH)

Nine experiments examined 6- to 10-month-olds' formation of an abstract category representation for "between." Findings indicated that older, but not younger infants, could form an abstract category representation for "between" when performing in an object-variation version of the between categorization task. Six- to…

Investigates developmental changes in moral reasoning about sibling and parental relationships in Mainland Chinese children. Results suggested universal stage-like progression in moral judgment from superficial to profound. However, culture-specific moral reasoning also existed. Argues that Chinese children's moral characteristics are influenced…

Reports on the results of three studies that investigated whether three- and four-year olds interpret television images as mere pictorial representations of objects or as real physically present objects. Children's developmental differences are discussed, and a developmental sequence of understanding television reality is presented. (28…

Investigated factors associated with relationship quality of 49 first-time pregnant women and their mothers using data from a two-wave mail survey. Compared correlations of intimacy and perceptions of equity with correlations of intimacy and actual help patterns. Findings indicated that perception of equity is more associated with relationship…

Specific guidelines are offered for implementing figurative language activities into a language intervention program. The guidelines emphasize prerequisite skills, goal sequencing, facilitation of comprehension, and aids to interpretation. A table describes figurative language forms and their use in children of varying developmental ages. (JDD)

This paper outlines cognitive processes underpinning creative ability, considers their development, and discusses the creative potential of the individual at various life stages. Creativity is viewed as an outcome of self-directed transformational activity. The roles of fantasy and imagination are discussed, as is the contrast between public and…

The bibliography lists 875 citations from over 40 professional journals and reports on diverse aspects of higher education for adult students. A brief introduction discusses the developmental stages of adult learners and the challenges of researching this diverse population. (MSE)

Argues that the constructivist theory, which places stress on inquiry learning by the child, has dominated the field of mathematics and science teaching. Focuses on the preschool child and learning based on understanding. Discusses a wide range of research in this area and advocates a Brunerian model for learning. (NL)

Theory and research on children's emotional development are reviewed, and it is suggested that in mainstreaming children with disabilities, everything possible should be done to make the mainstream a hospitable environment for them, beginning with teacher recognition of responsibility for the classroom's socio-emotional climate. (MSE)

Observed 28 toddlers' reactions to an adult's programed play overtures. Coordinated responses and alternative overtures increased with age. Words were increasingly used to regulate activity between toddler and adult. (RJC)

Investigated beliefs on immanent justice of over 2000 children of 4-14 years. Results suggest a modification of the Piagetian hypothesis. They also suggest that the influence of religious instruction should not be ignored. (RJC)

William Perry's model of college students' epistemological orientation, which focuses on students' developmental progress, and Joseph Royce's model, which treats epistemological orientation as preference for one of three ways of knowing, are described and compared. (MSE)