The study by Tefft et al. (2011, in this issue) is one of the few studies that have explored the impact of pediatric powered mobility on families. The parents who participated in their study reported increased satisfaction with their children's social and play skills, ability to move independently, sleeping patterns, and public perception of their…

J. E. Grusec and M. Davidov's article (this issue) about domains of parenting and their links with different aspects of childhood outcome raises both interesting questions and challenges. Four of these concerns are discussed in relation to early childhood. First is the issue of bidirectionality. Recent studies highlight the contribution of…

Ethics are often taught in higher education. but research shows that family environment and early childhood are most influential in developing ethical behavior. The importance of ethics to work and family life suggests that ethical training should not be limited to vocational/business courses and it should start early. (SK)

In this article, we argue that policymakers in America should reference a coherent, comprehensive, and child-centered framework for children. That is, based on an extensive review of the empirical literature on the first two decades of life, we conclude that policies should address the needs of young people throughout the first two decades of…

Primary prevention, as applied to the children of psychotics, should be directed against the transmission of psychosis to the next generation of adults and toward the relief of psychopathology in the children. It should be remembered that genetic and environmental factors interact in the etiology of mental illness. (Author/CMG)

A model is presented that proposes environmental conditions for creative producers which result in responses that include the development of several key personality characteristics, such as a preference for time alone, an ability to cope with anxiety, freedom from conventionality, and the use of intellectual activities to fulfill emotional needs.…

In three languages, Spanish, French and English, these materials provide facts, background information and guides for preventing accidental harm to children. The materials, organized in three identical packets consisting of four pamphlets, offer information for mass media specialists, guidelines for administrators and decision makers, a technical…

Examines the effect of birth order on child development, noting that spacing of children, gender, family size, and family configuration all play a role in determining what effect birth order will have. The article looks at various traits of firstborn, middle, lastborn, and only children. (SM)

Oppositional defiant disorder is an individual diagnosis given commonly to children and adolescents who exhibit a pattern of noncompliant and defiant behaviors. Some children's temperament, behaviors, and interpersonal style merit this diagnosis. Other children, however, exhibit behaviors consistent with this diagnosis within the context of their…

The incidence and causes of children's accidents in the home are briefly described. Data on the most common types and locations of such accidents are provided in tables. Characteristics of children and the home environment that contribute to accidents are briefly discussed. In conclusion, problems associated with accident prevention strategies,…

Comments on the article by David, Dytrych, and Matejcek (see record 2003-03645-009) which showed the long-term negative psychological effects of unwantedness, up to 35 years after birth. The author states that despite their contention, this is not the only such long-term study. The authors briefly discuss other longitudinal studies of children…

Research on the relationship between fathers and their children was provided to the Select Committee on Children, Youth and Families. Six areas were highlighted in terms of what has been learned about the father/child relationship, what information is still needed, and policy implications. Principal assertions included the following points: (1)…

The paper advocates the extension of the basic protections of "permanency planning" to all children and youth, including those with severe handicaps. It discusses the concept and process of permanency planning and notes its promise in improving the opportunities of all children and youth to grow up in a stable family environment. It…

The traditional family atmosphere provides the best setting for the nurturing of children and the building of their character. (Author/AOS)

Childhood and adolescence in the United States today are more distinct from other stages of life than in less industrialized societies or in America's past. (MM)