This book explores research on processes that influence family-school partnerships in support of student learning and education. It highlights research related to culture, contexts, and development as families and schools work together to promote smooth transitions and academic achievement. The volume discusses research related to family and…

Many low-income families struggle with stable housing and frequently have to move due to foreclosures, rent increases, or other financial setbacks. Children in these families can experience lasting negative effects, especially those who are young and still developing basic learning and social skills. A joint NRC-IOM committee held a workshop in…

In the earliest studies of child language, attention was given to language production as utterances of sound. Association of language with meaning followed as language development and the relationship between language and thought gained serious recognition in the study of child development. The traditional societal view of "a child should be seen…

Crowded household conditions have a small adverse effect on the physical and intellectual development of children. Parental health and socioeconomic status are found to be more momentous in child health and development. (Author/DE)

This survey of 11-, 12-, and 15-year-old English schoolchildren suggests that (1) at each level of family environment, increases in affective characteristics are associated with increments in cognitive scores, and (2) at each level of attitudes toward school and locus of control, increases in family environment scores are related to increments in…

First, what parents do with their young children does influence child intellectual performance; second, we cannot categorize any group of parents; third, many parents are now doing the right thing"; fourth, parent education is a reasonable effort. (Author)

Emphasizes three themes: learning is a process that begins at birth, or before; early learning in the home is crucial; and parents are important teachers. (Author/IRT)

Examines the likelihood of children and families being resilient in the face of poverty and its associated risks. Discusses findings from the resilience research literature and provides some recommendations regarding Head Start. Suggests that competence and confidence can flourish even under adverse conditions, if children are provided with a…

Questions which familial socialization conditions are related systematically to individual student educational careers and motivations to learn. Assumes that students' motivations and aspirations are influenced by their parents' school-related practices. Concludes that autonomy-promoting, supportive pedagogical practices promote motivation to…

Examines the role of parents as a significant social environment for children in transition to adolescence. Differentiates four groups according to perceived parental environment: children with conflict parents, with control parents, with partner parents, and with "easy-going" parents. Explores the familial contexts of these groups and…

The study, "Young Children Learning," used a sample of 30 four-year-old girls to examine children's language development, their cognitive processing, and the differential effects of home backgrounds. Discussed are the development of girls and the ideas that are being presented to them both implicitly and explicitly by home and school.…

Research studies concerning how nutrition affects educational performance are examined. From a developmental perspective it seems likely that the earlier the onset and the longer the duration of the nutritional deficiency the higher the probabilities of a cognitive deficit and poor school achievement in childhood and adolescence. (RM)

Persistent gaps between the academic achievements of different groups of children are thoroughly documented by the U.S. National Assessment of Educational Progress and other statistical analyses of state assessments, grades, course selection, and dropout rates. Despite improvements in some years, the gap endures as a consistent and disturbing…

Research treatments of home environment in studies of intellectual development and school performance are reviewed. The conceptualizations of home environment include variables specifying family status and deprivational conditions, child-rearing techniques, educational and intellectual process variables, and transactional experience. Psychological…

This chapter focuses on the innermost level of Bronfenbrenner's four-level conception of the human environmental ecology, namely the microsystem, and more specifically, the child's socialization in the family. Following discussion of concepts related to socialization, competence, and environmental ecology, selected research studies are reviewed to…