Identified a number of risk factors contributing to early household formation. Found that for girls, factors included mother's educational level and birth order; for boys, parental divorce at any stage of childhood. Risk factors common to boys and girls were age of mother at time of child's birth and race. (HTH)

Discusses the significance of research on the transition to adulthood, examining social-historical changes that may increase the role of individual and familial factors structuring this phase of the life course. Reviews leaving home in regard to its importance as a factor in late adolescence and the transition to adulthood. (HTH)

Assessed sleep disorders in 265 visually impaired and 67 non-disabled 10- to 72-month olds. Found that infants with visual impairments had more difficulties in falling asleep and in sleeping through the night than nonhandicapped children. Also found a relationship between sleep disorders and the regularity of children's daily routine and…

Interviewed 130 Hong Kong parents to examine child-rearing practices and their educational implications. Results, in the areas of parental expectations, parent support, discipline, and homework, underscore the difficult task of rearing children when traditional family practices are changing and where preschools and schools operate with more formal…

Describes features of social pretend play and identifies characteristics of young children's cognitive and social play that may inhibit their participation. Describes approaches for supporting the social pretend play of children with mild to moderate developmental delays and disabilities, including assessment of play skills, use of structured play…

Reviews contributions of National Vocational Qualifications in Child Care and Education to early childhood workers. Argues that whether or not introduction of the qualifications is seen as an advance depends on whether the focus is on improving the training of currently unqualified workers or on the need to develop a new graduate-level education…

Surveyed 275 parents as to desires and expectations for child care, for which there is currently little information. Found that most parents were satisfied with their chosen child care arrangements, but had a limited base of knowledge for their choice and had stereotypical views of the meaning of progress. Choices showed concern for affordability…

Reviews evolution of workfare programs during the past 25 years. Summarizes both positive and negative outcomes of such programs, and identifies some key issues and unanswered questions resulting from these outcomes. Suggests a more viable direction for welfare reform in the areas of child care responsibility, balance of rights and obligations,…

Case studies examined impact of early intervention on the rate of acquisition of communicative and linguistic behaviors for a small group of severely and profoundly deaf infants. Found that infants who were diagnosed and used amplification by six months of age acquired vocal and linguistic skills at an age more comparable to hearing peers than did…

Defines the trend of using educational media in early childhood education in Japan, discussing the popularization of new media and considerations needed. Describes the ways in which television and computers are utilized and the status quo of each kind of technology. Concludes that communication abilities and self-expression are promoted more…

Claims that creativity can be nurtured in young children using the appropriate creative environment, such as schools with creative programs, continuous enrichment of the environment, and creative teachers and creative ways of teaching. Concludes that the most powerful possibility of nurturing creativity in an individual lies in interaction with…

Claims that Miller's book is admirably clear and comprehensive on current thinking in early literacy, noting Miller's refutation of the concept of reading readiness. Suggests the book would be particularly useful for students in initial teacher training courses, not just those intending to work with young children. Questions preoccupation with…

Argues that the individualistic-collectivistic dichotomy results in mislabeling both cultures and individuals. Discusses ways in which individualistic concerns with independence and collectivistic concerns with interdependence coexist in Western and non-Western cultures. Outlines a theoretical framework explaining the coexistence of diverse social…

Compares descriptions and interpretations of their children's personality and behavior among Dutch and American parents' of infants to 8-year-olds. Analysis of relevant descriptors in parents' discourse and how they talked about core constructs of dependence, and independence reveals a systematic difference defying simple dichotomies of…

Examined intergroup and intragroup variations in Anglo and Puerto Rican mothers' beliefs regarding long-term socialization goals and in their organization of feeding, social play, teaching, and free play interactions. Found evidence of heterogeneity in cultural groups. In sub-communities defined by social class, cultural values were transformed in…