Resources for Infant Toddler Professionals

2007 Archived Research
The following Research articles were posted to the Web site on January 11, 2007.

Beyond quality in early childhood education and care: Postmodern perspectives
by Dahlberg, G., Moss, P., and Pence, A. Philadelphia: Farmer Press.
This book discusses the use of the term "quality" with reference to the measuring of the early childhood education and care. It references the widespread debate as to how one judges the value of such education and care, and it comes to the ultimate conclusion that "quality" needs to be redefined on an individual bases such that early childhood education and care can be placed in a new, more informative framework.
www.karnacbooks.com/product.php?PID=10718

"A New Bit on Toddler Biting: The Influence of Food, Oral Motor Development, and Sensory Activities"
by Pamela Ramming, Caroline S. Kyger, and Stacy D. Thompson from the March 2006 issue of Young Children
This article focuses on the problem of biting in toddler care; it suggests that biting may be linked to the toddler's developmental need for oral sensory stimulation, and thus proposes that in order to lessen the incidence of biting, early childcare providers should give toddlers crunchy or chewy foods and toys upon which to bite. This suggestion provides new insight into the problem of biting, and the author's assertion that redirecting the toddler's attention away from other children and onto more suitable objects for biting should be carefully considered when attempting to deal with biting in a caring setting.

"Parents' Instinctive Use of Isolated Words May Help Babies Learn Language"
from Science Daily
This article discusses the research findings of Michael Brent, Ph. D., which suggest that the use of isolated words in infant care may promote the ease with which the child comes to later know and utilize the word. Further, Brent asserts that words spoken with the same frequency not in isolation do not produce the same affect in future infant learning. That is, if a mother says the word "red" by itself just as frequently as she says the word "kitty" within sentences, only "red" will thoroughly resonate with the infant.
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/02/010223081658.htm

2005/2006 Archived Research
The following Research articles were posted to the Web site on July 24, 2006.

Society for Research in Child Development
With a large team of researchers and professionals, the Society for Research in Child Development focuses on human development in the early years through the exchange of research with other facilities. This society releases its research in publications and newsletters.
www.srcd.org

The Center for Early Childhood Research at the University of Chicago
This research facility provides findings in academic achievement, brain development, cognition, language, maternal factors in development, neurological disorders and social programs.
www.eci.uchicago.edu

Amazing Talents of the Newborn by Johnson and Johnson Pediatric Institute
This book takes recent research on topics such as attachment and senses and relates the findings to new experiences parents are having with their newborn babies.
www.jjpi.com

Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research
This journal is published 6 times a year and explores the course of disorders in hearing, speech and language. With the research conducted, the articles inform readers on diagnostic methods as well as treatment plans. Although this journal relates to all ages, many of the early stages of these disorders can be seen in infants and toddlers.

"The Relationship Between Social Behavior and Severity of Language Impairment" by Kerstine I. Hart, Martin Fujiki, Bonnie Brinton, and Craig H. Hart
This specific article examined the behaviors of 41 children with SLI (specific language impairment) and 41 of their peers with typical development. Children were studied to see if those with SLI were sociable or withdrawn compared to those without. The researchers found that teachers rated the children with SLI as more solitary and displaying less sociable behaviors than those typically developing children. Even though this study was performed on school-aged children, it can help parents see warning signs of SLI in their younger children and also create an environment for children with SLI so they remain as sociable as their peers.
www.asha.org/about/publications/journal-abstracts/jslhr

"The Effects of a Developmentally Appropriate Music and Movement Program on Motor Performance" by Evridiki Zachopoulou, Aggeliki Tsapakidou and Vassiliki Derri
This study was conducted on 90 children between the ages of 4 and 6 to see if a music and movement regimen would have any affect on jumping and dynamic balance. Those children who followed the music and movement schedule performed better on their jumping and dynamic balance tests than the control group. Although this study focused on 4 to 6 year olds, it does have implications for and can be applied to younger children.
www.naeyc.org/pubs

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
The NICHD wants to make sure that every person, children and adults, has the opportunity to live a healthy and safe life. In order to promote healthy living environments, the NICHD conducts research, funds studies and clinical trials which examine health processes ranging from development to behavior patterns. A current clinical trial is examining the relationship of both maternal moods and mother-infant interaction to the infant's development.
www.nichd.nih.gov

The following Research articles were posted to the Web site on January 5, 2006.

New Perspectives in Early Emotional Development by Johnson and Johnson
This publication teaches readers about new research performed by healthcare professionals as well as its findings' practical application.
www.jjpu.com

"Reading Your Baby's Mind: New Research on Infants Finally Begins to Answer the Question: What's Going on in There?" by Pat Wingert and Martha Brant from the August 15, 2005 issue of Newsweek
This research article explored the minds of infants to see how they work and what emotions young kids are capable of feeling. Previously thought to just be a mixture of confusion and imitation, infants' minds prove to be much more complex and advanced. From this study, researchers concluded that infants can feel jealousy and many more emotions than originally assumed. The study also discovered that one of the very first emotions infants feel is empathy, which helps explain why infants cry when they hear the cry of another infant. This research has a great impact on pediatricians because instead of just looking at the physical development of infants, they are now making sure the emotional milestones are being reached as well.
www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8852928/site/mewsweek

Journal of Early Childhood Research by SAGE Publications
This is both an online journal as well as publication which prints articles based on recent research involving issues facing best practices for child development.
www.ecr.sagepub.com

 "Understand Early Childhood Leadership: Emerging Competencies in the Context of Relationships" by Min Sun Shin, Susan L. Recchia, Seung Yeon Lee, Yoon Joo Lee, Lara S. Mullarkey in October 2004
Six children in classrooms assigned to infants, toddlers and preschoolers were examined who seemed to show leadership qualities in their environments. Teachers were interviewed and observations were made to discover that those children who displayed leadership had 'dynamic and charismatic personalities' and were very aware in their classrooms. The leadership proved to be relational as opposed to individual because children used their leadership position to create relationships with teachers or providers as well as excluding and including specific children. Parents and providers who are experiencing children like this can then adjust their behavior towards the child to prevent the exclusion of other children in the room.
www.ecr.sagepub.com

The following Research articles were posted to the Web site on September 30, 2005.

Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs Serving Children from Birth Through Age 8 by S. Bredekamp and the National Association for the Education of Young Children
This study focuses on the most beneficial practices for child development which can be of use for parents and professionals. It emphasizes the importance of play in children’s lives and gives strategies to enhance growth.
www.naeyc.org/about/positions/daptoc.asp

Families and Work Institute
This institute is a non-profit research center that focuses on issues relating to families and employment. It keeps readers updated on changing employment patterns as well as new research dealing with families and child development. For example, in "Examining the Lives and Goals of America's Children and Youth," surveys were conducted throughout the United States of children who have parents in the work force. These surveys asked children their feelings towards having working parents and their dreams. The results were shared with the families but these results carry general lessons that all families can learn from. The seven umbrella sections under which its publications fall are: Work-Life, Families and Communities, Ask the Children, Parenting, Fatherhood, Development of Young Children, and Education and Care.
www.familiesandwork.org

Child Care and Early Education Research Connections
This resource can be used for parents to locate and evaluate childcare providers. It also offers parents information on how to keep their children safe. For example, there is an article discussing the safety regulations and licensing providers need to abide by.
www.healthychildcare.org

Infant Day Care and Attachment by B. Caldwell, A.S. Honig, and J. Tannenbaum, published by the American Journal of Orthopsychiatry in 1970
This report explores the issue of attachment in children who are enrolled in infant day care. A group of home-reared children and another of children in day care were observed and tested at 30 months of age to see if there were differences in mother-child attachment patterns. No significant differences were found between the two groups.
www.amerortho.org/ajo.htm

Early Childhood Research and Practice by Lilian G. Katz
This is an online journal that emphasizes the development and care of young children.
www.ecrp.uiuc.edu

"Creating the Conditions for Success with Early Learning Standards:
Results from a National Study of State-Level Standards for Children's Learning Prior to Kindergarten" by Catherine Scott-Little, Sharon Lynn Kagan and Victoria Stebbins Frelow
In this research, learning standards and their impacts on development and performance were examine. The researches all agreed that program standards are essential but must include all domains of learning. With high expectations and proper guidance, children are more likely to succeed.