Studied play development in 35 Down syndrome and 41 nonhandicapped young children during the transition from sensorimotor to representational functioning. During the transition, children with Down syndrome developed in a manner similar to that of nonhandicapped children, but at a slower pace. (RJC)

Discusses the importance of the outdoor play area for infant and toddler cognitive, physical and social development. Also discusses design, landscape and arrangement considerations for the play area. (RJC)

Tested the hypothesis that focusing attention on relative performance will promote ego involvement and undermine intrinsic motivation in school-age children but not in preschoolers who do not have a normative conception of ability. (PCB)

Reports on the current status of the Child Development Project (San Ramon, California). States that major concerns focus upon validity of measures and criterion validity. Notes that there are indications that the program is being implemented and children's attitudes are being affected. Predicts additional teacher questionnaire measures and the…

Discusses theoretical and clinical issues that surround the psychotherapeutic treatment of biracial children. Summarizes Heinz Kohut's theory on the development of the self in the biracial child. A case study is included. (BH)

Three programs which focus on at-risk kindergarten students are described. These programs feature kindergarten retention, transition classes, and child development specialists, respectively. (IAH)

Suggests that recent social changes and trends make it imperative to include demographics of all kinds in research on child development. Proposes guidelines to help child development researchers procure demographic information from their study population. Provides specific questions that may help researchers devise demographic indicators, and…

Six experiments involving 262 children (as young as 16 months and as old as fifth grade) indicate that the basic framework for coding location is present early in life and that later development consists of an increasing ability to impose organization on a broad range of bounded spaces. (SLD)

The outdoor environment is a significant and essential component of curriculum for young children, having the potential to foster and extend all aspects of development. Children can experience a greater sense of freedom and nature than is generally possible indoors. Evidence suggests that early childhood teachers underestimate the importance of…

Describes the implementation and operation of the Cherokee Nation Children's Village program in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Examines the four main components of the program: (1) Head Start; (2) the Child Development Center; (3) STEPP (Serving Teenagers through Education and Pregnancy Prevention); and (4) Even Start. (MDM)

This study examined preferences for consultation models and styles among 67 professionals who worked in early intervention programs in Colorado. Participants preferred a collaborative approach involving shared responsibility across all stages of the consultation process and a directive style of sharing specific strategies to address the concerns…

Discusses the theme of morning from the perspective of children. Provides several passages and describes stories from children's books that deal with the subject. Discusses the benefits of morning activities and routines, as well as morning journeys and exploration. Presents a creative activities sampler and print and film resources. (AEF)

Reviews two videos. "Caregivers Guide for Drug Exposed Infants" addresses the effects of fetal drug exposure on children's physical, emotional, and social development and illustrates caregiving techniques. "Foundations for Being a Successful Director" offers professionals advice on stress in the workplace, taking care of…

Examines how and why the American academy has employed the social construct of gender in defining the writing center as a site where caring education is promoted according to a cultural ideal of "women's work." Draws on the author's encounters with feminist philosophy, academic professionalism, psycho-sociolinguistics, and child development…

Examines the conflicting views in the literature on the effects of prenatal exposure to drugs and reports on an early intervention project in a New York City agency. The rate of developmental delay was found to be virtually the same for children with and without prenatal exposure to drugs. (TJQ)