The principal published research findings and other relevant literature in the sociology of early childhood education are reviewed and summarized in this paper. Part I examines the shaping of a child's abilities and achievement by the norms, roles, and practices of his parents. The influence of parental sex roles on the parent-child relationship is discussed. Part II discusses family influences on achievement. The family structure, now undergoing important changes, affects the educability of the child. In today's smaller family, the child is dependent on the immediate family group rather than a kinship group. Membership in a social class or ethnic group influences values, child-rearing approaches, family organization, and characteristics of the child. Language, social behavior, and social class are also related. Although most of the young child's experience is within the family, there are important extrafamilial influences, which are discussed in Part III as are studies on mass media dealing with socializing and learning effects. Additional research on the effects of peer groups and school environment is recommended. (DR)