This paper discusses the development of species-identity in humans, emphasizing the influence of environment vs. heredity. The cases of two feral children, and three children raised with limited human contact are presented and research concerning institutional upbringing is discussed. These reports all imply or state that reduced contacts with…

This longitudinal study of the development of nonverbal behavior in the first 3 years of a child's life focuses on four factors: the relation between physical and vocal interaction between the child and his mother, observed cuses which can be used to interpret the child's communicative intent at different age levels, frequency of occurrence and…

The concept of "mothercraft" can be influenced by the sociocultural environment and the individual mother and her attributes. This study examined the differences in mothering between those who live in urban areas and those who live in rural areas. Although the study drew on work currently in progress on the relationship between mothering…

This ERIC Bibliography on cross cultural early education and day care is a collection of references for educators and researchers interested in how children are educated and cared for in other countries. References are grouped in 4 sections. (1) Cross cultural studies, (2) A collection of references for each of the 33 countries covered, (3)…

The Subcommittee met to examine the attitudes and the administration's response to the hunger and the malnutrition of farmworker children. Some questions asked were: (1) What programs had been developed to meet the food and nutritional needs of farmworker families? (2) Were they properly administered? If not, why not? (3) Were there sufficient…

Reviewed is recent literature and research on child neglect. Covered are the following topics (and sub-topics in parentheses): (1) definition of neglect (distinguishing neglect from abuse, legal vs. professional definitions, operational definition); (2) prevalence of neglect; etiology (economics, cultural values and child caring, breakdown of the…

A process-oriented research strategy was employed to examine relations among various aspects of the early home environment and children's language development. The home environments of 65 infants were assessed when the infants were 12 and/or 24 months old with the Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment (HOME). HOME includes six…

This document provides comparative information on state legislation concerning (1) the reporting of suspected cases of child abuse and neglect throughout the United States, and (2) the establishment and use of central registries containing reported data. The first section lists for each state: who must and who may make reports of suspected child…

A total of 20 children, between 17 and 38 months old, were observed in their day care centers and in a standardized laboratory procedure. In both settings, preseparation, separation, and reunion situations were observed. Observers coded proximity-increasing and proximity-decreasing behaviors to mother and to other adults; in addition, distress,…

Examined are the effects of motor skill development and impairment on the infant's and young child's overall functioning, and suggested are guidelines for assessing motor skills in multiply handicapped children. It is explained that motor delays and deficits limit a child's learning during critical developmental periods. Examples of delayed motor…

Described is an adoption agency for difficult to place handicapped and older children (infancy through 16 years-old). The process involves initial assessment of the child's functioning and of the family's parenting capabilities, and continued support after placement. Placement histories of two handicapped children are presented. Reviewed are the…

This paper provides a brief introduction to the New York City Infant Day Care Study, a 5-year, longitudinal study in which children in three different child rearing environments are compared: (1) infants in group day care, (2) infants in family day care, and (3) infants reared at home. Data are being collected on three major aspects of child…

This paper describes data collection procedures for the part of the New York City Infant Day Care Study concerned with day care environment and caregiver-child interaction. This study is a 5-year, longitudinal investigation in which infants in group and family day care programs and infants reared at home are compared. Study data will be collected…

This paper examines the developmental problems of the environmentally disadvantaged in light of recent research; makes a case for intervention during infancy, and attempts to specify some concrete details of a curriculum for an Infant Educational System (IES). A rationale for infant education is presented and a vast amount of literature related to…

Specific suggestions are offered for mother-infant activities, sequenced according to developmental levels, which foster the physical and mental development of the infant and the socio-emotional relationship between mother and infant. The activities are intended for use by professionals, paraprofessionals, and mother-teacher aides who work with…