Examined patterns of correlations among selected parental, contextual, and child characteristics accounting for variance in observed quality of parent-infant interaction and infant development with 15-month-olds and their families. Found that parental ego-resiliency and education, partner support, and infant social fearfulness explained…

Discusses the influence of Hindu, Moslem, and Buddhist metaphysics on Maria Montessori's own pedagogical philosophy of Cosmic Education, which she regarded as the core of all learning experiences, after her visit to India. Considers the relationship between Montessori's ideas of child development and Cosmic Education, and the effect of Indian…

Acknowledges the large amount of confusing information about bottle feeding in areas including nutrition, sanitation, dental health, psychology, and child development. Answers specific questions pertaining to choice of formula and formula preparation, supporting breastfeeding, bottle choice, solid food introduction, feeding position, spitting up,…

This study sought to descriptively evaluate the performance of fundamental gross motor skills among Head Start children. Levels of performance were compared and contrasted with performance profiles of the Test of Gross Motor Development. Findings suggest that Head Start curriculum should focus on the importance of developing fundamental gross…

Finds Bloom and Tinker's description and measurement of active, integrated, and situated children to be a credible scientifically rigorous paradigm for language acquisition research. Highlights their use of the naturalistic, observational method to understand the changing patterns of integration and use of multifaceted abilities in child language…

Reviews literature concerning effects of gastrostomy as alternative nutritional intake on children with developmental delays and their families. Finds that although gastrostomy has been shown to be effective in maintaining adequate weight and nutritional intake, the support given to the family prior to and after the operation is inadequate.…

Examines the construct of emotionality, developmental relations between cognition and emotion, and neural plasticity and frontal cortical functioning. Proposes a developmental neurobiological model of self-regulation skills development, noting implications for children's school readiness. Suggests direct links among emotionality, use-dependent…

Discusses theoretical and conceptual issues pertaining to race, ethnicity, and culture as they affect family functioning and children's development. Also introduces a collection of papers that address family functioning and child development among families who are diverse ethnically; racially; socioeconomically; and by geographical location and…

Asserts that knowing how children develop is essential to understanding their behavior. Describes role of schools and school boards in addressing student behavior problems related to child development. (PKP)

Argues that dynamic systems theories may illuminate processes whereby public policy influences child development and highlight gaps in current relevant research. Discusses five principles of dynamic systems theories using examples from research addressing effects of current antipoverty and welfare policies on children. Concludes by suggesting…

A study involving 10 mothers and 10 teachers of children (ages 10-14) with disabilities found both groups ranked "to be responsible" and "to be respectful" as the two most desirable characteristics of students with disabilities. Teachers and parents also agreed about the least important characteristics in children's development. (Contains…

Suggests a model for the development of mental representation. Explores empiricist and constructivist models and maintains that the constructivist model provides a better ground for theory building. Evaluates Piaget's constructivist account of the emergence of mental representation. Proposes that his account is insufficient and suggests a…

Shares three ideas concerning how to evaluate the practical importance of developmental findings to make them more useful to policymakers: (1) statistical significance tests need to be accompanied by effect size estimates; (2) meta-analyses are helping in using all existing data when examining issues involved in policy debates; and (3) researchers…

Notes that research is confirming that much of what makes a person unique is the result of experiences in the first three years of life. Notes the long-term effects of inadequate nurturing, the role of extended family, and the challenges for parents, educators, and policymakers posed by these research findings. (HTH)

Suggests that parents underestimate children's capacity for regulating wisely what and how much they eat. Examines issues in nutrition, noting that, although it is important for young children to eat right, it is more important for them to like food, enjoy being at the table, know when they're hungry, and to quit eating when they are full. (HTH)