The purpose of this paper is to review recent Soviet research on the child's development of Russian grammar, with detailed information on valuable methods for investigating this process. Cross-linguistic comparisons are made where applicable in view of their relevance for the study of universal aspects of language acquisition and linguistic competence. Specific aspects of linguistic ontogenesis are discussed: (1) the structure of two-word sentences; (2) word order; (3) inflections and word classes; and (4) comprehension. A brief history of developmental psycholinguistics in the USSR is included. Listed are diaries and observational studies of monolingual and bilingual children, and a bibliography which includes these and general background materials. (KL)