This study tested the hypothesis that a 6-month, half-day program of enrichment in language and Piagetian sensorimotor skills tailored to the cognitive-developmental level of infants would accelerate the development of participating infants. The experimental population consisted of 16 12-month-old infants attending enrichment sessions at Syracuse…

This book, the second in an annual series, contains 38 articles published during the past year in the field of child psychiatry and child development. The editors attempted to compile articles "of most value to workers in this field both for immediate information and for long-term reference." Accordingly, the articles are of two types: (1)…

During an experiment on infant behavior, it was observed that young children shared toys with their mothers; therefore, a series of research studies was designed to investigate this phenomenon. The general purposes of the research were: (1) to define sharing more precisely and develop objective measures of frequency and duration for it, (2) to…

This study reports various aspects of the analyses carried out on the longitudinal data reported in a previous study (PS 007 345) for determining the general growth patterns and growth velocity of mental and motor development. Preliminary analyses focused on the selection of the growth curve, its evaluation in the 208 individual cases, and the…

A longitudinal study of 20 experimental and 20 control preschool children identified at birth as being at high risk of suffering cultural-familial mental retardation is nearing completion. Ss (identified from a low income Milwaukee area) all have mothers with IQs below 75 and are of Negro extraction. The experimental intervention is composed of…

Learning in infancy is based on activity, beginnings, and curiosity, the so-called ABC's. Earliest behavior consists of mass activity, the period from birth to 24 months of sensory-motor development which provides the foundation for all future learning. Adults must provide space, toys, and affectionate care to help infants proceed through…

The early communication network existing between a mother and her 12-week-old infant was explored. Over 50 infants of both sexes from a variety of social classes were seen in their homes, and a wide variety of maternal and infant behaviors were studied. Of special interest was the vocalization-in-communication data. The results indicate a lawful,…

An intervention study with mothers and infants is discussed. The project staff consisted of two home visitors, a materials specialist, an infant examiner, and a project coordinator. This study assessed the effectiveness of the program for mothers and infants. Infant abilities and psychological development were tested and homes were rated. One home…

This study explored the relationship between maternal sensitivity and the development of mother-infant vocal interaction. Two characteristics of mother and infant vocalizations were assessed at six and nine months in a home feeding situation: (1) the degree of mutual responsiveness, and (2) the affective quality of vocalization. These assessments…

Two directions of influence in the socialization process are examined: the influence of the child (primarily the infant) upon parental behavior, and the influence of parental attempts to "appropriately" sex type the infant. Despite the fact that male and female roles are defined similarly in the majority of the world's cultures, little…

Describes how infants of six to seven years old can learn floating and sinking. The work described in this article was inspired by the Elementary Science Study (ESS). (HM)

Programmed instructional training materials in orientation and mobility were developed and field tested with 22 multiply handicapped blind infants and toddlers functioning between ages 0 and 3. Children receiving intervention from trainers using these materials demonstrated significant performance gains over control subjects in cognitive…

Reviews research concerning fathers' birth attendance, early contact, and extended contact with newborn infants. Discusses relationships between fathers' early history with infants and subsequent patterns of involvement. Considers methodological challenges of studying these relationships and finds that no conclusive statements can be made about…

Describes nine-day residential camp for Michigan teenage mothers/babies to enhance personal growth and develop responsible social skills. Outlines goals, pre-camp planning, staff, activities, evaluation. Reports 31 teen moms (ages 13-21) and 35 babies attended in 1986. Indicates participants were in therapy, experienced abuse, had low self-esteem,…

Sixteen mother-handicapped infant pairs participated in a study which found that mothers of severely handicapped babies did not attribute less communication to infants' behavior than did mothers of mildly handicapped infants. Through the process of adaptation, mothers' attributions of communication were influenced by factors besides the infants'…