Prior work showed that infants look longer at impossible figures than possible ones, although it is unclear whether they or older children understand "impossibility." We employed a series of matching and sorting tasks with pictures and objects to evaluate children's knowledge of this dimension. In Experiment 1, nearly all children…

The theory of natural pedagogy has proposed that infants can use ostensive signals, including eye contact, infant-directed speech, and contingency to learn from others. However, the role of bodily gestures, such as hand-waving, in social learning has been largely ignored. To address this gap in the literature, this study sought to determine…

This study investigated transfer effects of gaze-interactive attention training to more complex social and cognitive skills in infancy. Seventy 9-month-olds were assigned to a training group (n = 35) or an active control group (n = 35). Before, after, and at 6-week follow-up both groups completed an assessment battery assessing transfer to…

The objective of this study was to provide intensive, consistent experience in the following developmental areas: relation to objects and vocal and gestural imitation. The curriculum was developed in an inner city industry-based day care center with 14 infants aged 8 to 19 months initially. The Hunt-Uzgiris Scales measuring development in these…

This book on the social and psychological development of the infant (0-1 year) is designed for use in a foster parent training program. The book is divided into 5 parts. Part I briefly lists the expected social and psychological behaviors for each 2-month period of the infant's first year, suggests adult responses and guidance techniques…

This orientation manual includes a compilation of activities, curriculum, records, and operating procedures of ongoing infant and toddler group care demonstration projects. The current status of three day care units is described: the Infant Day Care Unit, the Toddler Day Care Unit, and the Toddler Enrichment Unit. The manual serves as a basic…

This is an illustrated collection of 77 articles from journals, popular magazines and other sources, intended for use by early childhood education classes. The articles, representing many points of view, are authored by experts in psychiatry, psychology, pediatrics, educational research, anthropology, toy design, state and public school…

This research bulletin includes reports of research in progress or recently completed from September 1975 through February 1976. Each entry includes information concerning the investigators, purpose, subjects, methods, duration, cooperating groups, and findings (if available). The reports are listed under several topical headings: (1) Long-Term…

The report examines, from a cognitive developmental view, research on the teachable moment or critical learning period in handicapped infants. The author explains that developmental gaps are produced by a mismatch between the infant's readiness and opportunity to learn. Characteristics and educational implications of specific handicapping…

This instructor guide is designed for use by postsecondary child development instructors in courses that have both lecture and laboratory sections. The guide is organized into five units covering the following subject matter: foundations and assumptions about child caregiving, development of young children, indirect guidance of children's…

Three mothers of handicapped children were taught to imitate their child's behavior; subsequently the number of mands displayed by the mothers during play sessions were measured. Results showed increases in the percentage of sample intervals during which mothers imitated their children and showed that, as imitations increased, mands decreased.…

The Step by Step program was begun in 1994 as an experiment linking sound early childhood educational practice with concepts of democracy to create learning environments in which children practice choice and learn critical thinking skills, and in which parents actively participate in their child's education. This manual expands the program to…

This paper describes the Family Development Research Program, a program combining quality infant day care services with a home visitation component. Particular emphasis in this paper is on the day care center curriculum. Primary goals of the program are: (1) the design and maintenance of optimal environments which nourish an infant's development…

With an increasing emphasis on inclusive child care, that is, care for children with and without disabilities within the same setting, there is a greater need for tested and workable approaches to provision of such care. Based on a developmental-ecological model of care and early intervention, this book is a resource for practitioners providing…

This research bulletin includes reports of research in progress or recently completed from March 1976 through August 1976. Each entry includes information concerning the investigators, purpose, subjects, methods, duration, cooperating groups, and findings (if available). The reports are listed under several topical headings: (1) Long-Term…