This study assessed whether specific nutritional variables added unique variance to the prediction of toddler development outcomes in an Egyptian village, using 153 toddlers. Results suggest that, for the 18- to 23-month age, specific nutritional predictors can be identified and that there is specificity of nutritional action. (SLD)

Two experiments involving 49 3- and 47 4-year-old French preschoolers studied their memories for racial and other social information to test claim that perceptual factors are integral to derivation and representation of racial categories. Results cast doubt on claim that perceptual information is crucial component of racial categories and are more…

Mothers' reports of toddlers' behavior were used to determine groupings and the sequence of behaviors associated with self-concept development. The following sequence was determined: (1) physical self-recognition; (2) neutral and evaluative self-description; and (3) emotional responses to wrongdoing. (BC)

Cites recent research indicating positive aspects of adoption for children. Examples from the life of congressman Jim Lightfoot are used to exemplify these positive aspects, which include increased self-confidence and affection for adoptive parents. (BC)

Evidence is presented that the analogy between oral and written language development is misleading and that literacy has few of the characteristics of naturally acquired behaviors. It is contended that researchers should concentrate on the differences between oral and written language development. (SLD)

Prevailing conceptions of young children's mental life represent children's thinking as confused and lacking western rationality. Instead, we should consider their mental life as a positive oral culture, and evolve a new science of early childhood education based on understanding of peoples in oral cultures. (MSE)

This study evaluated the effects of completing infant development questionnaires on mothers whose ability to provide an appropriate caregiving environment for their infants was suspect. The 18 mothers who completed the questionnaire were found to be more accurate observers of their infants than 18 control mothers who had not completed the…

Traditionally, our educational system ignores children until about age five, despite overwhelming research evidence about the importance of the first few years of life. Most early childhood researchers would agree that the Head Start program for preschoolers (except for the Perry Preschool Project) has not succeeded. Missouri's New Parents as…

Describes work being done by National Indian Youth Leadership Project (NIYLP), which gains its inspiration from both traditional sources and contemporary models of youth development and which draws upon Indian heritage to address problems of alienation, dropouts, delinquency, and substance abuse. Contrasts traditional parenting to present patterns…

Criticizes current prevention education efforts for retaining characteristics of older quantitative approaches to education. Suggests qualitative approach to prevention education be taken and discusses transactional model of substance abuse based on development of the child within both social and family context. Recommends approach that draws…

A model of the sources and consequences of mismatches between gestures and speech is presented that argues that the transitional knowledge state is the source of the mismatch and that such mismatches signal that a child is in a transitional state of concept acquisition and is ready to learn. (SLD)

Applies two-axis model of human development to problem of suicide trajectory, in which organism begins each stage at negative or dystonic position in reaction to stage-initiating life event and must move ahead vertically to achieve positive syntonic quality and attain stage-specific syntonic equilibrium. Provides clinician with developmental guide…

Discusses concerns of child development as a field of study, meeting a child's educational needs in developmentally appropriate ways, and encouraging children's growth by meeting their needs through basic decency. Notes that children's development proceeds most efficiently when teachers and caregivers observe children's natural development,…

Grammatical development was examined for 10 children (ages 19 to 31 months) with expressive language impairments only and 10 children with both receptive- and expressive-language impairments. Group analyses did not reveal any differences between the subtypes on the Index of Productive Syntax. However, specific weakness in verb-phrase elaboration…

A modified Children's Fear Survey Schedule was used to study 294 low and middle socioeconomic status (SES) Hispanic and Anglo children, aged 7 to 9. Girls and low-SES children reported more intense and more frequent fears. Hispanics did not differ from Anglos. Most-feared items were danger, death, and physical injury. Developmental issues and…