ERIC Number: ED411973
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1997-Jun-5
Pages: 90
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: ISBN-0-16-055319-9
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Pre to 3: Policy Implications of Child Brain Development. Hearing on Examining the Status of Medical and Scientific Findings into Prenatal and Postnatal Brain Development and Implications That Federal Policies Have on Childhood Development, before the Subcommittee on Children and Families of the Committee on Labor and Human Resources. United States Senate, One Hundred Fifth Congress, First Session.
Congress of the U.S., Washington, DC. Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources.
These hearings transcripts present testimony concerning the status of medical and scientific findings on prenatal and postnatal brain development and the implications of federal policies for childhood development. Testimony was offered by Senators Dan Coats (Indiana) and Christopher Dodd (Connecticut); psychology professor Edward Zigler of Yale University; medical and psychological researchers; and spokespersons for child and family advocacy groups. The senators focused on the importance of early brain development and its impact on later development and government programs that assist families in raising children such as Head Start and the Family Medical Leave Act. Medical and university representatives described results of positron emission tomography studies of biochemical brain activity, comparative analyses of brain activity in normal and deprived infants, the critical period in brain growth, auditorially-mediated learning and auditory perception in human newborns, the impact of prenatal substance abuse and postnatal abuse on brain development, and the importance of early experience. Professor Zigler maintained that American society does not support optimal early development and recommended expanding the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, addressing the problem of child care, and supporting expanded parent education programs. A clinical psychologist commented on the need to nurture developing attachment relationships and expressed concerns about day care quality. Child and family advocates recommended that the dependent child care tax credit be made universal and noted bills which could assist home-based businesses and telecommuting employees. Materials supporting the testimony are attached. (KB)
Descriptors: Cognitive Development, Government Role, Hearings, Infants, Neurological Impairments, Neurology, Neuropsychology, Public Policy, Research, Tax Credits, Taxes, Toddlers
U.S. Government Printing Office, Superintendent of Documents, Congressional Sales Office, Washington, DC 20402.
Publication Type: Legal/Legislative/Regulatory Materials
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: Congress of the U.S., Washington, DC. Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources.
Identifiers - Laws, Policies, & Programs: Family and Medical Leave Act 1993
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A