Observed kindergartners and first graders playing in dyads. Children who were frequent pretenders had more predictable behavior pathways to and fewer exits from social pretend play (BSP) than children who were infrequent pretenders. Children's social interaction increased in complexity sooner after the onset of BSP than of nonpretend social…

Data from studies conducted in Holland and Israel on child-parent and child-caretaker relationships indicated that children develop attachments to nonparental caretakers. Data supported an integration model of attachment which postulates that secure attachments can compensate for insecure attachments in children's development. (BC)

Five traits common to gifted children that result in social and emotional vulnerability are described, including divergent thinking ability, excitability, sensitivity, perceptiveness, and entelechy. Specific issues that parents must face to enable their children to reach their full potential are explored. (Author/JDD)

Nine articles discuss persistent physical education practices that are not in the best interest of children, suggesting developmentally appropriate alternatives. Some topics discussed are sequence of instruction in games, developmentally appropriate dance and gymnastics, social-emotional components, and activities with questionable value. (SM)

Scores on the Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment were higher for control families than for families with an alcoholic father. For preschool sons of alcoholic fathers, overall developmental quotient, motor development, and social development were less advanced than for control children. (BC)

Examined the emotional reactions of toddlers to two mishaps. Children's reactions varied along two dimensions: tension and frustration and concerned reparation. Mishaps elicited more negative emotions than did free play, and most toddlers attempted to correct the mishap. Findings indicate that children's styles of emotional response to mishaps may…

Studied the ability of measures of inhibition to unfamiliar events that are obtained in toddlerhood to predict social behaviors during an interaction with an unfamiliar peer at the age of five years. Results revealed that the role of child inhibition as a predictor of social behavior may be more evident during the initial encounter with the peer.…

Examines how allowing children to make choices can affect the quality of thinking in the school environment. Discusses teacher's role in creating a learning environment in which an exchange of viewpoints is encouraged, one that allows children to make and defend their own intellectual decisions. Offers several examples of classroom choices that…

Reviews studies examining children's nurturing behaviors and suggests ways to encourage those behaviors in early childhood settings. Discusses age, gender, and cultural differences in the nurturing behavior of young children. Recommends that teachers expose children to positive role models and suggests several children's books with characters that…

A multifaceted model to promote peer play was implemented with play groups including 3 children (ages 6-8) with autism, resulting in decreased isolate play and collateral gains in social play, and decreased stereotyped object play and collateral gains in functional object play. Advances in play behaviors were generalized and were accompanied by…

Examined the effects of peer support and parent involvement on the cognitive and social development of 63 preschool children enrolled in rural California Head Start programs. Found that parental involvement in school was predictive of gains in learning skills and classroom behavior, whereas mutual friendships predicted gains in social play and…

Examined the self-descriptions of social support networks provided by 185 African American children attending Head Start programs in Alabama. Although the networks reported by children averaged nearly 20 members, the bulk of the support from network members was provided by household residents and close kin. Girls tended to report having larger…

Parents of 20 children with autism and 14 children with mental retardation, with comparable cognitive developmental levels, completed the Preschool Social Behavior Checklist. Results revealed that autistic children exhibited deficits in imaginative play, peer play, and imitation skills compared to the other group, and that parents are capable of…

Children of 4 to 10 years of age were told about children whose sex was not specified and who had a masculine or feminine toy or characteristic. Results indicated that children first learn characteristics relevant to their own sex, and that older children's stereotypic judgments about gender are more extreme than those of younger children. (BC)

This study focused on French and U.S. mother-infant dyads interacting in their homes. Infants' visual attention, tactual exploration, vocalization and mothers' mediated and unmediated stimulation and speech to infants were observed. Mothers and infants in the two cultures showed some similarities and some different emphases in their activities,…