Psychiatrists, psychologists, pediatricians, and other experts in child development reviewed research from numerous disciplines covering the period from before birth until the first day of kindergarten. Their study includes efforts to understand how early experiences effect neurological, social, and cultural aspects of development. It considers both the typical trajectories of early childhood and the atypical developmental pathways that characterize the adaptability of disabled children. Economic, political, social, and ethical issues are emphasized. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com) Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

Executive Summary	1
I Setting the Stage	17
1 Introduction	19
2 Rethinking Nature and Nurture	39
3 The Challenge of Studying Culture	57
4 Making Causal Connections	70
II The Nature and Tasks of Early Development	89
5 Acquiring Self-Regulation	93
6 Communicating and Learning	124
7 Making Friends and Getting Along with Peers	163
8 The Developing Brain	182
III The Context for Early Development	219
9 Nurturing Relationships	225
10 Family Resources	267
11 Growing Up in Child Care	297
12 Neighborhood and Community	328
13 Promoting Healthy Development Through Intervention	337
IV Knowledge Into Action	381
14 Conclusions and Recommendations	383
References	417
Appendixes
A Related Reports from the National Academies	535
B Defining and Estimating Causal Effects	545
C Technologies for Studying the Developing Human Brain	549
D Biographical Sketches	553
Index	561

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