Findings of a longitudinal study indicated that maternal demographic and psychological characteristics were significantly correlated with maternal behavior at infants' fourth and twelfth months. Data were again collected on mother and child during the kindergarten year to determine the stability of maternal characteristics and to test the hypothesis that maternal behavior and maternal demographic and psychological characteristics measured during pregnancy and infancy, as well as during kindergarten, would predict the child's adaptation in kindergarten. Data collection included an interview with the mother during the third trimester of pregnancy, interview and observation during child care at 4 and 12 months, an interview with the mother during the kindergarten year, and teacher ratings of child adaptive behavior in kindergarten. In addition, several psychological measures were administered to mothers. The sample consisted of low-income mothers who were receiving prenatal services from public health clinics. Factor analysis of child care situations and ratings of mother/child interaction yielded two major dimensions of maternal behavior: interaction/stimulation and warmth vs. hostility. Both maternal behaviors of interaction/stimulation at 12 months and maternal demographic and psychological variables correlated with interaction/stimulation significantly predicted teacher ratings of child academic competence, particularly verbal intelligence and curiosity and creativity in kindergarten. The study suggests, however, that more reliable measures of maternal individual and parental modernity be developed, and that further research be conducted, particularly in the area of predictors of child social adjustment. (RH)