A total of 14 kindergarten children participated in a story completion task in which they used doll play to enact a series of stories about family events. The children's mothers completed the Adult Attachment Interview, which measures adults' perceptions of their childhood family relationships. Doll play and interviews were rated for rejection and…

The recent increase in emphasis on the impact of early childhood experience on subsequent human development constitutes a change in the conceptual framework of the study of early childhood development. Anyone who is interested in prevention and intervention needs to be aware of the particulars of the debate on the strengths and weaknesses of the…

Addresses several important aspects of young children's involvement with security objects, including why certain children have them, how they are used, when attachments to such objects are cause for concern, and how teachers and parents can respond in ways that promote the young child's development. (BB)

Critically reviews the concept of "bonding," exploring its empirical basis and the implications that follow from its application in practice. Among the conclusions reached are that there is a tendency to oversimplify attachment phenomena and that the notion of a sensitive period for attachment has no direct empirical support. (RH)

Semi-open, open, and other alternatives to the confidentiality of traditional adoption procedures are discussed by focusing on the needs of adoptive and birth parents. Positive outcomes of alternative approaches to adoption for all members of the adoption triangle are indicated. (Author/RH)

Investigates two questions of interest to persons who treat children with psychological difficulties: (1) What is attachment theory? and (2) Does it have relevance when working with disturbed children and their families? (Author/DB)

Suggests that medical advisors may be an important resource for adoptive parents seeking to understand their child's behavior. Examines the effects of the child's past--problems such as loss, poor attachment, or abuse--and how the child and new family adjust. (TJQ)

This essay reviews research on mother-infant roles during early interactions and how these serve to foster the development of infant emotion regulation. It provides illustrations of the ways in which physical unavailability (resulting from hospitalization or other separation) and emotional unavailability (resulting from mental illnesses such as…

Patricia Thompson, a women's studies educator, has in her previous writing proposed the Hestian/Hermean paradigm to distinguish dual systems of action that operate independently in the private, domestic (Hestian) sphere and the public, civic (Hermean) sphere. Based on her concept, this paper suggests that early childhood education might also be…

The conceptualizations of morphogenic processes suggested by systems theorists provide a useful framework for describing growth and development in complex adaptive self-directing organisms. These processes involve changes in (1) a system's structure, state, or functioning; (2) discontinuities in development; and (3) at least two kinds of…

Summarizes the debate over the work of Jay Belsky, who claims that nonparental day care increases the likelihood of socioemotional difficulties for infants less than one year old. Previews a special journal issue that contains an article by Belsky and four responses. Focuses on attachment theory, intervention programs, and research methodology.…

Argues that research does not warrant Belsky's position that infant child care for more than 20 hours per week is a risk factor for infants' insecure-avoidant attachment and children's maladaptive social behavior. Suggests that quality of care and family characteristics are major influences. (NH)

Examines the dynamics, rooted in early trauma, behind the problem of violence committed by children against foster and adoptive parents. Highlights the painful and often hidden dilemmas experienced by such parents and the failure of many child and family practitioners to alert themselves to the problem. Calls for development of therapeutic…

Defines attachment theory's two important concepts: internal working model and the secure base. Pertinent research is discussed. Role of school counselors is described from an attachment theory perspective. Presents suggestions for changes in school counseling practices that are compatible with attachment theory. (FC)

Proposes that vocal communion between infant and caregiver supports infants' language acquisition and connectedness with caregivers. Recommends research to determine whether social behaviors such as joint attention and vocal imitation are functionally related to language learning or are only symptomatic of a survival-centered caregiving…