This paper discusses the five components of preschool program planning. The first component involves reviewing information about child development, developmental characteristics of young children, and the specific needs of children and families enrolled in the program. The second component involves formulating goals that reflect the philosophy of…

Most parents have two goals that seem at odds: (1) getting their teens to behave in the right way, and (2) continuing a good relationship with their teen. To maintain a good relationship, while also continuing some control, steps need to be followed that lead to expanding independence for teens. The steps can build teens' self confidence and…

Seventy-two Australian children aged from 4 years 6 months to 9 years 10 months were individually administered a set of six combinatorial problems involving the dressing of toy bears in all possible combinations of clothing items. Six age groups were represented: eight children were in each of the 4, 5, and 6 year categories; and 16 children were…

This report reviews research related to the home learning environment and presents a study on the home learning environment of young Hispanic children. Research has progressed from concern with home learning environment variables such as ethnicity, socio-economic variables and demographic characteristics to more relevant issues concerning…

Library-based parent resource centers are an innovative way of providing important parenting information to families, for promoting early identification of developmental needs in preschool children, and for identifying community resources available to address these needs. The centers facilitate information and resource sharing among community…

A study investigated whether excessive television viewing coupled with communication suppression by parents in the preschool years had a distinct impact on the development of communication apprehension (CA) in children and on college-age young people. Subjects (average age 21.8 years and 99% Caucasian) were selected from speech classes at a…

This study compared 17 toddlers identified as prenatally exposed to cocaine (along with marijuana, alcohol, or nicotine), with another group of 10 toddlers with no prenatal exposure. All subjects were African-American, 1-3 years of age, and in foster care. Toddlers were age- and gender-matched and compared on measures of temperament, development,…

This handbook is a compendium of current research findings in early childhood education (ECE) and contains 33 essays, divided into 4 parts, by leading scholars in the field. After a brief introduction, part 1 addresses child development and early education in five chapters: "Cognitive Development and ECE"; "Motor Development and…

This annual report presents six research articles on child development. The articles and their authors are: (1) "Beyond Psychological Limits: Applying Human Development in Education" (John Kirkland); (2) "Beyond Reductionism: Directions toward Understanding Children" (Frank Self); (3) "A Psychometric Examination of the…

The purpose of a 1992 course on emergent literacy in early childhood education was to formulate a shared definition of literacy; create awareness of the developmental process involved; test previous assumptions, methods, and techniques in the light of new knowledge; and develop pedagogic approaches and curricula relevant to the existing conditions…

In November 1997, Washington University and the Parents as Teachers National Center hosted a forum on how to apply neuroscience research to the field of education. The forum focused primarily on language acquisition in young children, which is fundamental to early learning and development and to later school success. The 110 participants included…

Noting that by playing with their child, parents create a bond of intimacy important for the child's healthy development, this book describes developmental events in a baby's first 12 months and suggests play activities and their developmental purpose. Organized in a month-by-month format, the first part of each chapter presents an overview of…

Between 2 and 3 years of age, children make dramatic strides in every facet of development. This book describes how 2-year-olds see themselves, how they get along with others, and how they learn language, begin to play imaginatively, and explore their surroundings. The book also provides ideas for games and activities that parent and child can…

This document consists of the first three issues (1997 output) or the serial "Early Development." The publisher of this journal, the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, has more than 60 state and federally funded projects, most of which focus on early childhood development of…

This paper addresses common concerns of parents about the social development of gifted children. It stresses the importance of three key factors: (1) a responsive home environment where the child is respected; (2) opportunities to relate to other gifted children, especially during the early years, when self-concept is formed; and (3) opportunities…