Tested hypotheses that low self-regard contributes over time to peer victimization and that behavioral vulnerabilities are more likely to lead to victimization when children have low self-regard than when they have healthy self-regard. Found that both hypotheses were supported with third through seventh graders, especially when self-regard was…

Defends domain theory approach to children's moral development based on limitations of Piaget's original theory. Argues that Fowler's characterization of domain theory research omits important features and studies. Maintains that distinctions between morality and convention cannot be reduced to differences in perceptible harm and punishment; it is…

Discusses how modernization processes (rationalization, secularization, and individuation) produce continuous change in children's life conditions in the Scandinavian welfare states. Argues that scientific knowledge about early childhood fails because it abstracts children from their particular contexts. Proposes that "childhood" is the…

This study used survival analysis to overcome problems of principled generalization and individual variability in analysis of the conversational speech of 24 children with speech delay recorded over two years. The derived normalization probabilities were lagged according to the strong delay hypothesis and results converged with previous normative…

Investigates predictions derived from the Karmiloff Smith framework for understanding the process of cognitive development. Finds broad support for the model but also indicates that behavior for some tasks is more variable than expected; and, contrary to expectations, that more abstract tasks did not disrupt behavior to any large extent. (DSK)

The Kennedy Center at Peabody College of Vanderbilt University is one of 12 Mental Retardation Research Centers (MRRCs) constructed by the federal government. Several major discoveries in mental retardation have come from MRCCs. The Kennedy Center is unique in its focus on education integrated with a university and medical school environment,…

Examined the role of animacy and pronouns as children ages 2 to 3 years acquired transitive construction. Participants learned two nonce verbs, one of which was modeled in several transitive sentence frames and the other in neutral sentence frames. Many children produced transitive sentences with the first verb, but only children near age 3…

Two studies explored the relationship between young children's pragmatic skills and their grammatical development. The studies involved videotaping children with and without autism interacting with their parents at age 1;2 and 2;7. In both studies, pragmatic accomplishments of mutual attention, as well as mother's conversational style, explained…

This reprinted article discusses the intrinsic value and indispensable necessity of the use of natural signs in the education of students with deafness. The benefits of sign language over oral language, the use of sign language to teach moral development, and the need for a common language is discussed. (CR)

A study used the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales to investigate patterns of adaptive behavior in 30 children with autism who were under 3 years. Relative to controls, participants demonstrated weaker socialization and communication skills and greater discrepancies between adaptive behavior and mental age. The utility of the scales is discussed.…

Reviews the literature on the role of play in a young child's development and describes the development of a preschool play-based curriculum for children with disabilities. Distinguishes types of play and discusses important play spaces in the physical environment, adult/child interactions, accommodations to meet individual needs, and assessment.…

Describes the theoretical orientations that frame current understanding about the development of self and the social processes that may shape it. Components of the self are discussed, and current thinking about their development in infancy and toddlerhood is described. The role of temperament is also addressed. (Author/CR)

Studied the development of moral judgment in 208 Dutch, Surinamese, Moroccan, Turkish, and mixed-ethnicity students from Dutch secondary schools of different types. Moroccan and Turkish students showed a lag in moral development, perhaps due to their parents' societal backgrounds. (SLD)

Introduces the concept of family integration to describe how family social organization affects individuals. Hypothesizes that well-integrated parents benefit children's self-concept formation. Tests three mechanisms of parental family integration, and shows that integration early in life has positive effects on children's self-esteem in early…

Discusses three concepts from an emergent literacy perspective that are especially relevant to libraries: literacy learning starts early; young children construct their understandings of literacy; and adults are vital in teaching children literacy. Describes several ways librarians can promote early literacy learning. (AEF)