Suggests that the systematic omission of functional material by young children, contrary to current beliefs, argues for the presence of functional structure,because in the absence of such structure what is expected is not a systematic omission of functional material but rather its random use. (Author/VWL)

Reviews research examining whether children can use information in the Chinese writing system to pronounce characters. Argues that the overarching graphophonological insight in reading Chinese characters is the phonetic principle --the principle that the phonetic components of compound characters provide information about character pronunciation.…

Ego identity was assessed for 30 mildly retarded adolescents, 30 nonretarded peers, and 30 nonretarded preadolescents. Results suggest that subjects' identity did not reflect a simple developmental lag but rather a unique profile. Subjects' ego identity was related to social adjustment and level of functioning, even after controlling for…

Full-day kindergartens only make a difference when added time is used to enhance developmental and academic readiness. Success depends on providing various educational activities related to young children's needs, emphasizing appropriate academic readiness levels, facilitating school adjustment through structured play and social interaction, and…

Examined concepts of mental activities involved in acts of knowing in 54 children of 8-10 years and adults. Ten-year-olds and adults judged memory involvement to be the most important relation among mental activities. Eight-year-olds judged comprehension and attention according to the involvement of visual or verbal information. (RJC)

Expectations concerning form and color in object label referencing of 80 children of 2-3 years were examined in 2 studies. Findings show that children as young as 2 expect form similarity to be a better guide than color similarity to the extension of object labels. (RJC)

The article discusses problems inherent in using the developmental model in the implementation of programs for young children with disabilities, and proposes a reconceptualization based upon M. Lewis and M. Starr's salient responses model. The primary components of this model are presented, along with their implications for early intervention…

Examines the validity of the preconventional level of moral reasoning as conceptualized by Kohlberg in 8 subjects of 10-15 years. Results showed that a substantial number of arguments could not be matched to criterion judgments in the standard scoring manual. (RJC)

Argues that introducing preschoolers to the kinds of formal basic skills instruction they will receive in elementary school fosters "learned stupidity" and merely teaches the ability to memorize concepts that have no meaning. Advocates that preschool programs focus on play, motor skills, and that which is visible, tangible, and audible. (DMM)

The Career Concerns Inventory was administered to 300 sales and marketing trainers. Analysis of 149 responses revealed that training needs differ at different career stages; common core of training needs exists; and 31 competencies identified by American Society for Training and Development (ASTD) were validated, but no relationship was found…

Investigated the development of social referencing (children's looks toward parents, instrumental toy behaviors, affective expressions, etc.) in 40 infants aged 6-9, 10-13, and 14-22 months. Results indicated that looking behavior of younger children may function differently from that of older children, and social referencing involves a number of…

Tested 13-, 16-, and 20-month olds' and 24- and 28-month olds' categorization of global- and basic-level object sets composed of prototypical and nonprototypical exemplars. Findings offer new information on the effects of prototypicality and on the process of differentiation of early global categories into more specific basic-level ones. (DR)

Family is a major influence on career development. A framework matching developmental stages of children and families is useful in planning and implementing career services for persons with disabilities. (SK)

Observed infants' stress responses to a well-baby examination and inoculation at two, four, and six months. Found an increase in salivary cortisol level over baseline in response to the procedures and that the cortisol response decreased with age, indicating a developmental shift in adrenocortical functioning between two and six months of age. (BC)

Examined whether false belief recall in three-year olds is inaccessible without cues, and whether cue-aided recall is accompanied by insight. Six experiments varied a core procedure involving cues and child reports of and about their beliefs. Found that the ability to recall one's own false belief was attained around 3.5 years of age. (BC)