This discussion of the emotional development of young children is structured upon Erik Erikson's schemata of psycho-social development. Stage 1, which involves trust versus mistrust, includes references to Erikson's theory and the work of Melanie Klein, Berry Brazelton, Stella Chess and Alexander Thomas, John Bowlby, Anthony Stevens, and D. W.…

The developing child and his/her eco-social-cultural context is the focus of study of 28 children ages 0-3 years in the rural area of Cocal, Piaui in Northeast Brazil. Ethnographic methods, naturalistic observations and semi-structured interviews were used to ascertain the physical context (the house and its surroundings), as well as maternal…

Offers caregivers in day care centers broad guidelines for promoting early infant-infant and infant-toddler social interactions. Argues against the common belief that a child is developmentally unsociable before three years of age and advocates engaging him/her in meaningful daily care activities. (DT)

Written in German, this article demonstrates the influence of different types of contingency information on the development of infant's locus of control and causal attribution, and discusses empirical models for calculating contingency parameters of the microsocial environment of infants, toddlers, and preschool children. Models discussed include:…

This paper provides a brief outline of some of the constituents of speech, language, and universal stages of the development of talking in children up to the age of 2 1/2 years. Mention is made of theories put forward to account for universal aspects of speech and language development; recent research into the way adults talk to very small…

This commentary identifies contributing influences and current issues that may be common across countries and defines potential elements of a universal manifesto on early intervention, including: recognition of individual differences, personalized interventions, involvement of families, support of families, comprehensive assessment, and provision…

Discusses the history, characteristics, and purposes of the "ecole maternelle," the French system of free public preschool education for two- to five-year-old children. Focuses on the classes for two year olds, and particularly their enrollment levels, schedules, and links with day care. Describes research on the classes. (BB)

Discusses early detection of hearing impairment in Japan with particular reference to the system used in Tokushima Prefecture. Suggests that a required screening of all children at 18 months of age resulted in 2 developments: (1) all the hard-of-hearing children were identified; and (2) public health nurses became more alert to hearing impairment…

This article proposes that the learning stories model can be used effectively as an assessment method for young New Zealand children with special needs. In this model, early intervention assessment data are collected in natural contexts. A description of experiences in using learning stories is provided. (Contains 13 references.) (CR)

There is a growing recognition of the way in which instruction can be enriched by engagement with narrative, and teachers can learn much from studying interactions between parents and children where the activity seems unforced and enjoyable and where parent and child seem most in harmony. Such a pair are three-year-old Anna and her mother, who is…

In preschools caring for infants and toddlers, outdoor play space is often limited and underdeveloped. When outdoor play space is developed, it is usually geared towards older toddlers, and infants' time in this space is often limited. Measures can be taken to give both infants and toddlers access, in safe and appropriate ways, to the valuable…

The normal, biologically adaptive development of attachment between the human infant under 3 years of age and mother/caregivers contrasts with the Anglo-Saxon cultural belief that babies should be accustomed to unpleasantness. Separation of hospitalized children from their mothers, as frequently done in the past, has resulted in psychological…

Drawing from the personal visits of an early childhood specialist to centers for infants and toddlers in Britain and the United States, this paper focuses on issues of teacher education, deregistration, and professionalism. Introductory material describes the child care situation in Aotearoa, New Zealand, highlighting the increasing demand for…

Discussed are adults' egocentric attitudes about children, particularly toddlers, and ways in which such attitudes can creat unnecessary stress in the caregiver and toddler. Emphasis is given to: (1) hostile myths about toddlers that obscure reality and muddy relationships; (2) misunderstandings about ways in which toddlers think; (3) young…