Discusses issues concerning children's vulnerability to crisis during the early childhood years and describes an ecological model finding increasing favor among family researchers and clinicians. (Author/BJD)

Brief essays discuss (1) a teacher's discovery of the difficulty of the writing process, (2) various methods of writing instruction that are still only a part of the whole, (3) the difference between children's writing at home and at school, (4) a method for teaching poetry, and (5) a fifth-grade book writing project for first-grade students. (HTH)

Describes current efforts to expand the scope and availability of personal computer services, with special reference to the British Post Office PRESTEL experiment in England. Author argues that the library profession should support similar efforts in the United States and study ways personal computers can serve the library community. (Author)

It is argued that behavior genetics should be part of social policy deliberations because behavior genetics studies can reveal which traits are more influenced by shared environments and thus are most malleable through environmental change. This is of particular interest in the case of IQ. (SLD)

Presents a model of adolescent development that emphasizes the relationship dynamics of autonomy and relatedness. Reviews research findings from concurrent and longitudinal analyses to support the model, particularly regarding the process of leaving home in young adulthood. (HTH)

Summarizes theories and research pertaining to the mother-daughter relationship, emphasizing works that focus on theory development or that utilize mother-daughter samples. Concludes with a brief discussion of the extent to which research supports contemporary mother-daughter theories. (TE)

Argues that it is neither possible nor beneficial for individuals to be perfect parents, maintaining that in most circumstances the errors parents make are more than compensated for by the many good decisions they make in regard to child rearing. Children learn best through the example their parents set for them. (MDM)

Argues that, as the weakening of the family and a deteriorating cultural climate for children pervade American society, minority families and black families in particular are disintegrating at an alarming rate. Suggests that creating alternative schools that will expose children, especially boys, to positive role models will help. (RS)

Maintains that words come from strongly felt images. Contrasts the stark language environment of the author's first school years with his vivid memories of stories and poetry in his grandparents', parents', and his own house. (SR)

Interviews Willie Simmons, Mississippi State Senator and former Head Start parent. Simmons discusses his involvement with Head Start and the benefits of that association; encourages parents to become involved in their schools, communities, and local governments to bring about change; and discusses his entry into politics and the goals for his term…

Discusses some of the issues surrounding the ways family members use communication to create and maintain their relationships. Looks at the claims and work of other scholars to formulate a tentative pathway for the author's research. (RS)

Argues that much educational reform misses the mark by focusing on the schools, when substantive changes in the nature of the family are at the heart of education's problems. Advocates a "natural systems" approach to schools incorporating immediate and extended family characteristics. (SR)

Examines oral-questionnaire data to assess the tenability of the hypothesis that Africa's language-endangerment situation is characterized by replacement of minority vernaculars with indigenous majority languages. Questionnaire items attended to evaluation accorded minority vernacular as well as language choice in home and non-home settings.…

The author of "In the Shelter of Each Other" addresses how to remedy lack of community that is disorienting families. Parents work too many hours. Adults are spending too much time with TV and computers, voting down bond issues, and providing less communal space for children. Parents need to be convinced that creating community…

Attempting to determine how best to investigate the developmental consequences of social change, this talk discusses and comments on (1) recent research on the family as a world in which children grow up; in particular, the shift away from focusing upon the mother-child relationship as the influence of overwhelming importance in early childhood to…