The National Academy of Sciences publishes important syntheses
of research on many topics. These reports are usually developed
by a panel of experts who review research, summarize the
findings (often of hundreds of studies), and develop
recommendations based on those findings. The Board on Children,
Youth, and Families provides a list of these reviews. Two
reports that are especially relevant to the early childhood
field are Neurons to Neighborhoods: The Science of Early
Childhood Development; and Eager to Learn: Educating Our
Preschoolers. Each report may be browsed and searched on the
National Academy Press Web site; the books may also be printed
but very slowly; copies may also be ordered on line or are
available in libraries. (typically available only by purchase or
in college and university libraries). Handbooks are scholarly
resources; each chapter often provides an excellent overview of
research on a major topic, with extensive reference lists.
Chapter authors are regarded as experts in their fields. W