Reviews significant recent research and information related to the beginning period of human life, and specifically discusses the developing fetus and infant, and the surrounding environment in which the infant is born and reared. Suggestions for prevention of mental-health problems are offered. (Author/DB)

Discusses harmful myths or stereotypes that adults have about adolescents and proposes a realistic appraisal of adolescents' needs based on their developmental tasks. (SS)

Discusses various aspects of adolescents' needs and feelings in relation to their efforts to become competent human beings. (SS)

Presents an integrated clinical approach, based on a developmental, structuralist framework, to classify adaptive and pathological personality organizations and behaviors in infants and preschool children. (Author/DB)

Director of Yale University's Bush Center in Child Development and Social Policy comments on the lessons learned over three decades on the process of social change. (HTH)

Describes components of self-reliance and discusses three methods that can be used effectively to make children more self-reliant: behavioral patterning, expectation, and modeling. (HOD)

Examines the problems and needs of the estimated seven million children who are growing up in alcoholic home environments--and the implications for professionals involved with young children. (HOD)

This article presents some of the changing views influencing psychologists, physicians, and other persons interested in preventing developmental difficulties and promoting physical and mental health in children. (DB)

Around the world, the singing of lullabies and reciting of nursery rhymes foster children's development and show parents' love for their infants and young children. (BB)

This article, excerpted from the epilogue to the book "Project Head Start" edited by E. Zigler and J. Valentine, provides a brief overview of the impetus, goals, problems, and accomplishments of Head Start. (DB)

Caretaking of children by siblings, cousins, or other peers is widespread in most developing nations. The influence of peers as mediators of social change cannot be underestimated. (RH)

Advocates hands-on activities for preschool children that develop the skills that form the foundation for abstract thinking. Concrete experiences in reading, writing, math and science will develop motor skills and concept formation, and make the move into higher level academics a comfortable and natural process. (SH)

Discusses a community-based child abuse prevention program successfully operating for the past three years in the borough of Queens in New York City. (MP)

Describes certain elements which can affect the fetus and the developing infant. These elements include toxins, lead poisoning, alcohol, smoking, and drugs (both legal and illegal). (Author/DB)

Describes a systematic way of increasing empathy of children through use of a daily class dialogue period, planned use of creativity techniques and action projects. (RH)