Various studies of stress are considered in relation to certain aspects of developmental theory. "Stress" is defined as a general rubric which encompasses a whole spectrum of interacting elements including developmental status, individual coping styles, temperamental characteristics, and environmental influences. Case material is presented in a form which illustrates the developmental-ecological sequence in the life of a young child. Emphasis is placed on the context of the child's experience in terms of his parent's own developmental histories, conditions in the household, the child's individual characteristics, and the influence of social networks and community support systems. The materials reviewed are intended to clarify the interplay between developmental phenomena, life events, and the social milieu. (Author)