Sketches the outlines of a life-span perspective on competence development, which focuses on beliefs about one's potential for producing desirable outcomes. The concern is with the nature and implications of individual differences in perceptions of personal agency and likely origins and development of the perceptions in the early years. (Author/BB)

Provides an account of how the main recommendations of the Plowden Report worked. Explores reasons for the misuse and misunderstanding of child-centered education. Notes recent research and primary school developments which support the Plowden recommendations. (JDH)

Discusses early experiences of children with literature, and the development of and growth in their response to literature. Argues for a response-centered, rather than criticism-centered, curriculum. (SRT)

This paper provides an overview on ways of thinking about young children's respect for diversity. It maps sources of knowledge about four different sorts of diversity in young children's lives: cultural and racial diversity, developmental diversity (including "special needs'), gender diversity and socio-economic diversity. It sketches this…

As teacher educators, the authors visit numerous learning environments. Each school has its own unique characteristics and personality. Some schools seem to have a magnetic draw, filling the senses with energy, wonder and intrigue. This energy, writes the authors, stems from a symbiotic relationship, a flow of spaces that work together…

Middle school subjects of 13-21 years (from 4 nationalities) were used for studying the relationship between progressive cognition and personality characteristics by Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices and Eysenk's Personality Questionnaire. The results showed: (1) the correlation and stepwise regression were completely identical: P score was…

This workbook for kinship care providers is designed to be used with a comprehensive 6-module, 9-session curriculum, providing caregivers with 27 hours of information and support related to kinship care. Sessions are designed to facilitate interaction and the sharing of experiences and support among participants. Meetings utilize a task-based…

This report was developed to highlight the current state of affairs and illustrate the value of a unifying framework and integrated infrastructure for the many initiatives, projects, programs, and services schools pursue in addressing barriers to learning and promoting healthy development. Specifically, it highlights how initiatives can be…

This book shows parents, clinicians, and policy-makers how the love relationship between parents and children is the workshop of the child's maturing personality, connecting everyday moments in family life to the growth of the child's sense of values and meaning. The book explains how children develop into fine, morally strong adults through their…

This publication provides information that can support parents in their efforts to assist their young children's literacy development. Provided in a format that can be copied, these "literacy tips" are supplied for these three age groups: ages 0-3, ages 4-6, and ages 7-8 and are preceded by lists of ideas for using them in a family literacy…

The Rural Appalachian Infant Temperament Project followed a group of 80 low-income rural Appalachian children from birth to kindergarten, focusing on two areas of child development: social/emotional functioning and cognitive skills. Subjects were recruited at a Lincoln County, West Virginia, clinic; all were white; and 73 percent had family…

The goal of the Success By Six program was to provide seamless, universal services to young children in a rural county in order to prepare them for a successful kindergarten experience. The process evaluation describes the implementation of interventions in the community and collaborations of community agencies. This rural community faced a number…

Only recently has the research on postpartum depression dealt with the disorder's effects on child development. This book explores the impact of postpartum depression on mother-infant interaction and child development, its treatment, and postpartum psychosis. The chapters are: (1) "The Nature of Postpartum Depressive Disorders" (Michael…

This book provides information to guide the development of an active learning early childhood program by assisting in the selection of materials and equipment to support children's cognitive, physical and social development. The guide considers the arrangement of classroom areas, and elements of the daily routine. The following classroom interest…

In response to increasing requests for funding of parenting education programs, The Pew Charitable Trusts funded a study to examine parenting education in the United States. This resulting report provides a general overview and highlights the "peaks and valleys, risks and opportunities" of the parenting education field. Chapter 1 of the…