This study compared three models of adult prompting to promote communication acts of three toddlers. The responsive interaction model avoids the use of explicit prompts, whereas the milieu and didactic approaches encourage explicit prompts. Higher rates of intentional communication were found for the explicit prompt condition, although the minimal…

This study explored effects of training six mothers to use focused stimulation to teach specific target words to their toddlers with Down syndrome. Following treatment, trained mothers used the focused stimulation technique more often than mothers in the control group. Concomitantly, their children used target words more often, as reported by…

Three studies examined adults' generic noun phrases in English and Mandarin Chinese from child-directed speech of caregivers interacting with their toddlers. Found that generic noun phrases were reliably identified in both languages. Generic noun phrases most frequently referred to animals. Non-generic noun phrases were used most frequently for…

Investigated whether sustained forms of nonverbal coordinated action facilitates toddlers' generation of verbal discourse with one another. Twenty-four 2-year-olds interacted with an adult, in 2 nonverbal interactive contexts: an imitation game and parallel play. Found that involvement in nonverbal imitation games facilitated toddlers responding…

This study assessed the influence of a 10-week parent-child intervention group on the vocabulary development of 10 late-talking toddlers. Results demonstrated the efficacy of the focused stimulation approach in increasing overall and target vocabulary acquisition. Parents reported satisfaction with the program in terms of the child's vocabulary…

The Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT), consisting of 23 yes/no items, was used to screen 1,293 children. Of the 58 given a diagnostic/developmental evaluation, 39 were diagnosed with autism. Six items pertaining to social relatedness and communication provided the best means of discrimination among children. (Contains references.)…

Suggests that parents underestimate children's capacity for regulating wisely what and how much they eat. Examines issues in nutrition, noting that, although it is important for young children to eat right, it is more important for them to like food, enjoy being at the table, know when they're hungry, and to quit eating when they are full. (HTH)

Examined role of infant and toddler temperament in predicting 2-year olds' empathy. Found that children showed relatively more concern for mother's distress, but were also responsive to unfamiliar victims. Unreacting infants showing little affect also showed less empathy toward the unfamiliar adult almost two years later. Inhibition toward…

A study involving 58 children (ages 17-32 months) with prelinguistic communication delays found that in families with high responsivity, prelinguistic milieu teaching treatment facilitated increased self-initiated proto-imperatives and proto-declaratives. In families with low responsivity, responsive small groups comparison intervention…

Describes the use of portfolios to assess very young children and communicate with parents at the Maryland School for the Deaf. Describes portfolio components (observational records, checklists, samples of student work, and a video documenting the child's behavior and skills). Includes tips for incorporating portfolios into the classroom and…

Provides reassuring advice about ten of parents' biggest concerns about their child's sexuality, including: when to start teaching a child about sex, how to deal with "bathroom" language, handling privacy issues, and addressing children's "doctor" games. Includes resources for help, easy answers to children's questions about sex, and warning signs…

This article reviews the developmental profile of a child with autism during the first 3 years of life. Analysis of home videos showed how the child appeared to make progress up to 12 months followed by decreases in social interaction, communication, and language. Discussion suggests that this particular profile is one of the possible pathways…

Reports the findings of a case study of bilingual first language acquisition in Catalan and English. Presents a general overview of a child's syntactic development from the age of 1 year 3 months to 4 years and 2 months. Focuses on the question of subject realization in the two contrasting languages the child is acquiring simultaneously. Data…

Examined relationship between child care quality and engagement behavior of toddlers in 17 child care centers. Found that all but one contextual quality measure were associated with unsophisticated engagement. Only global classroom quality was related to sophisticated engagement. The percentage of toddlers engaged in activities was associated with…

Thirty-five children diagnosed with autism or pervasive developmental disorders at age 2 were re-evaluated 2 years later for factors related to spoken language development including child variables and environmental variables. After controlling for age 2 language skills, the only significant predictors of age 4 language skills were motor imitation…