This essay examines distinctions between the roles of mothers and teachers, and draws implications for mothers, teachers, parent education programs, and research. Differences between the roles of mothers and teachers are discussed in terms of seven dimensions: (1) scope of functions (diffuse and limitless versus specific and limited); (2)…

This paper examines conceptual issues and research evidence related to the effects of day care on infants. Examples of cultural relativism in child development are used as the basis for arguing that there is no fixed list of parental behaviors that can be counted on to meet children's psychological needs. American cultural values and the resultant…

This paper discusses the processes that are at work which produce some of the differences between male and female human beings. The sex of the child is an important attribute of the organism's identity. Before birth, parents express preferences for the sex of the unborn child and start providing names as a function of the sex of the child. Studies…

The Maternal Role Preparation project utilizes an occupational therapy approach to increasing maternal competence in first-time mothers. The four-session program covers topics concerning infants (attachment, sensory systems, developmental abilities) and mothers (the mothering role, physiological changes after childbirth, physical and psychological…

A failure-to-thrive 30-month-old was observed in interaction with his unempathic mother, showing the pathological consequences of his openness to social influences (i.e., the child's attachment to a sadistic mother could later produce masochistic tendencies which could be reenacted to reproduce the feelings associated with mother's affection).…

Three hypotheses were investigated among 121 maltreating and adequate mother/child dyads: that (1) there would be qualitative differences in the supportiveness of mothers' networks; (2) differences would be related to differences in child attachment to mother; and (3) differences in mothers' approaches to relationships might have influenced their…

Discusses research which shows the development of compliance in infants and young children. Describes the relationships between compliance and attachment to parents, childrearing style, timing and setting of control techniques, and development of self-control and problem-solving abilities. Discusses the importance of mother-child relationships for…

Twenty 18-month-olds were observed interacting with their mothers and fathers in a structured laboratory setting. Assessed were affiliation and attachment behaviors when the infant was alone with either the mother or father or with both parents and when stranger entered. (Author/MS)

This study examined the relationship between a mother's childrearing history, perceived social support, and maternal empathy and the quality of engagement with her child during play. The study also focused on the roles of social support as a moderating variable and maternal empathy as a mediating variable in the relationship. Participants were 77…

This annual report presents several articles related to the work of the Clinical Center for Child Development at Hokkaido University in Sapporo, Japan. The articles are: (1) "The Functional Uses of Infant-Directed Speech of Fathers and Mothers: A Comparison Study" (Katsuko Niwano); (2) "Are Children 'Among the Gods'?: Parental…

Recently, children's play has gained considerable attention, and important concerns have emerged. The volume presents a review and critical analysis of the research and theoretical knowledge on the educational play of young children. The chapters reflect a range of philosophies on various aspects of children's play. Each chapter includes a review…

This thesis presents a picture of how staff interact with infants (age group 1-3 years old) and parents at three day care centers. The study focused on the situations of leaving and collecting the children and the children's time of free play both in and outdoors. The theoretical content has an attachment/psycho-dynamical perspective with emphasis…

Noting that during adolescence the importance of feeling intimate or close to a relationship partner (mothers, fathers, or friends) increases and that closeness to parents is associated with positive adolescent outcomes, this study examined how features of adolescent relationships are related to adolescents' experience of subjective closeness in…

Taped before an audience of teachers from around the country, this 65-minute videotape presents a discussion between James Comer and Chip Wood, noted experts in child development and education, in which they converse and respond to questions about critical issues confronting educators today. During the first part of the video, Comer and Wood…

Developed measures of preoccupied and avoidant coping to determine whether the measures concurrently relate to adjustment problems. Subjects were 229 children from third through seventh grades. Results indicated that preoccupied and avoidant coping with the mother can contribute to maladjustment in other arenas. Children's adjustment with peers…