Examines the relation between dyadic synchrony and child compliance during the toddler period. Demonstrates that children are more likely to comply with synchronous caregiver instructions than with asynchronous instructions. Discusses results in light of both cognitive and emotional factors of toddlers. (Author/RWB)

Investigates the impact of early maternal employment--direct (mother-child) and indirect (father-child) effects--in families with firstborn 20-month-olds. Shows maternal employment is not related to toddler outcomes (security of attachment or problem-solving behavior). (HOD)

Investigates the antecedents of individual differences in cognitive/language competence for 121 24-month-olds who were also assessed at 6 and 13 months. Warm verbal interactions between mother and child at three ages were associated with child competence at 24 months. Socioeconomic status was also modestly correlated. (Author/CB)

Examined convergent and discriminant validity of eight widely used preschooler, toddler, and infant temperament questionnaires. There was surprisingly strong evidence for convergence among scales intended to measure similar concepts, with most convergent validity coefficients falling in the .50s, .60s, and .70s. (SH)

Examined children's visual self-recognition. Lower-SES maltreated children did not differ from lower- or middle-SES comparison children in the development of self-recognition. Differences between the samples in the quality of affective reactions to mirror self-images were observed. (BC)

In two experiments, mothers told their infant and an adult a story that involved target words, and women taught an assembly procedure involving novel terminology to another adult. In speech to infants, mothers positioned focused words on pitch peaks, but in speech to adults, the emphasis was more variable. (BC)

Investigated stability and change in infant affective responses to still-face interaction, impact of maternal depression, and whether infant responses predicted toddler problem behaviors. Found stable individual differences in gazing away and rates of negative affect. Gazing away increased over time. Mothers' current depressive symptoms and…

Related maternal depressive symptoms obtained when infants were 1, 6, 15, 24, and 36 months old to child functioning at 36 months. Found that women with chronic symptoms were least sensitive during mother/child play from infancy through 36 months. Maternal sensitivity accounted for group differences in school readiness and verbal comprehension and…

Examined relations between nonmaternal child care and maternal sensitivity and child positive engagement ratings during mother-child interaction; infants were between 6 and 36 months old. Found that more child care hours predicted less maternal sensitivity and less positive child engagement. Child care effect sizes were similar to those for…

This study examined the idea that toddlers in some communities are accorded a privileged status in which they are allowed what they want, assumed not yet to "understand" how to cooperate. U.S. middle-class and Guatemalan Mayan mothers and 3- to 5-year-old siblings were observed while the siblings and toddlers (14-20 months) both sought…

Identified five groups (well-adjusted, undercontrolled, reserved, confident, inhibited) of 3-year-olds and assessed subjects' interpersonal functioning at age 21. Found that well-adjusted, reserved, and confident children exhibited normative adult interpersonal behavior; inhibited children had lower levels of social support as adults than other…

The interactions of Efe infants and toddlers in Zaire with their parents, other adults, and other children were observed. Efe children experienced a pattern of simultaneous and multiple relationships, rather than a pattern that initially focuses on one person and then progresses to other relationships. (BC)

Toddlers' play with care-giving adults, and with toys and peers, was observed and rated in family day care homes. Participants were 55 children, their mothers, and family day care home providers. The quality of the family day care home was assessed. Mothers reported information on family stress, social support, child-rearing attitudes, and…

Five experiments examined children's use of eye gaze information for inferring another person's desire. Found that 4-year olds used another's eye direction to infer desires, while 3-year olds could use other nonverbal cues. Two- and 3-year olds used eye gaze for desire inference when presented dynamically with other scaffolding cues. When…

Examined toddlers' self-regulated compliance to mothers, fathers, and caregivers. Found child emotion regulation and adult warm control in discipline situation related to self-regulated compliance to mother, caregiver, and father. Compliance to parents correlated with parental sensitivity and philosophies. Compliance to caregivers correlated with…