Reviews the six cross-cultural research articles in this issue. The articles document diverse environments of child development; explore universality and variation in mothers' and children's behavior; and delineate relationships between culture, parental behavior, and developmental outcomes. A strength of the research is its collection of…

Describes the interdisciplinary research of Myrtle B. McGraw; examines the controversy about McGraw's concept of critical period; and assesses her impact on current research. McGraw contended that the overlapping phases involved in neuromuscular integration demonstrate that learning and maturation interact during development. (BC)

This article argues that current models of intervention for infants and toddlers with disabilities suffer from conflicting research results and practical implementation problems and discusses alternative approaches, including the need for comprehensive needs assessment, protocols for matching services with needs, interagency system changes, and a…

Six experiments involving 192 infants and 1 experiment with 16 college students examined sensitivity to acoustic correlates of phrasal units in English. A basic finding is that nine-month-old infants are sensitive to acoustic markers that correspond to major phrasal units, a sensitivity that develops after six months. (SLD)

This third article of a series reviews recent metacognitive projects inspired by the theory of L. S. Vygotsky. These projects include research on (1) children's memory development; (2) the mother-child dyad; (3) the origin and function of adaptive inner speech; and (4) problem learners. (SLD)

Provides an overview of outdoor learning environments, discusses types of children's play that promote their learning and growth, examines the role of outdoor play on children's development, and lists several indoor activities which can also be used as outdoor activities. (BC)

Acoustic and video data tracing the development of intrasyllabic coarticulation suggest that young children (n=30; ages three, five, and eight) and adults (n=10) produce similar patterns of anticipatory coarticulation, and perceptual data indicate that coarticulatory cues in the speech of three year olds are less perceptible than those of the…

A longitudinal analysis of the spontaneous speech (first-person pronouns and reflexives) of three children tests the claim that children's poor performance in binding and coreference is due to performance factors. Children appear to understand the principles of binding and coreference at the earliest stages of language development. (33 references)…

Provides observations on current trends in the environment to which the dissemination of child development and early education knowledge is directed, and presents issues related to the dissemination of knowledge to practitioners. Closes with a discussion on some implications of these trends and issues. (BB)

Describes four kinds of pretend play inhibition observed in children from three to nine years of age. Proposes hypotheses regarding potential causes and developmental sequelae of pretend play difficulties, in both cognitive and socioaffective realms. Discusses the implications of children's pretend play inhibition for examining relationships…

This paper reviews the research on speech perception and reassesses the contribution of innate capacities versus external stimulation in conjunction with age in first- and second-language acquisition. A developmental model of speech perception is then discussed in relation to neonatal auditory perception. (Contains 86 references.) (MDM)

Reports a longitudinal study comparing 211 male inpatients in Stockholm, Sweden, alcohol clinic with a random sample of 200 men from Stockholm's general population. Random sample and inpatient males who also reported drug use had more psychosocial problems and had grown up in families with more abuse of alcohol and drugs than those who did not…

Examines the developmental stages or sensitive periods unique to the toddler. Discusses how Montessori practitioners can provide an environment supportive of these periods and encourage self-awareness. (HTH)

This study assessed the relationship between parent/teacher ratings of hyperactivity and developmental indices in psychiatric clinic children (ages 5-16). Findings suggest that chronological age should be considered when behavior ratings are used to assess cognitively delayed children for hyperactivity but do not support use of mental age in…

Proposes a cognitive mechanism that makes forgiveness possible. Revises Piaget's theory that ideal reciprocity is the underlying cognitive operation that makes understanding and appreciation of forgiveness possible. Draws on modern philosophical inquiry, empirical study, and theory to argue instead that abstract identity provides--philosophically…