Symbolic representation refers to the use of physical or psychological processes to represent an object in a symbolic form. The present study investigated the development of children's symbolic representation using a new measure of children's block constructions. Ninety children (44 girls) in three age groups (3-4, 4-5, and 5-6 years) were…

Reviews the Piagetian description of the stages of development of children's drawings, points out the influence of task demands on drawing performance, and asserts need for a new theory. An alternative framework is discussed and recent research illustrating the alternate theory and methodology is reviewed. (Author/RH)

Examining the processes of natural selection, described by Darwin in "The Origin of Species", casts light on our own species' fundamental needs and on the far greater role that early childhood educators can play in their fulfillment. The second section of this paper analyzes how our fundamental needs emerge in a sequence underpinned by the…

Argues that the issue of quality in day care provision for children is relative, but that the best alternative to a universally accepted definition of quality is a conceptual framework within which different definitions of quality can be constructed. Describes and develops six dimensions of quality in day care: effectiveness, acceptability,…

Describes the personality development of a normal infant during the child's first year. Development is interpreted in terms of psychoanalytic, cognitive-developmental, and mother-infant systems perspectives. A working relationship among the theories is demonstrated through analysis of case material. (RJC)