An observational study of intellectual stimulation of young children

Patterns of parent--child interaction in the general area of intellectual stimulation in two ethnic groups in Israel were studied by means of a series of home observations. The children ranged in age from 28-34 months. Contrary to expectations the similarities between the patterns of interaction of the two groups were much greater than the differences. Wide individual variations within each group were found. Findings suggest that when educational and occupational level of parents, birth order and family size have been controlled, ethnicity per sehas little influence on patterns of intellectual stimulation, and that those differences in patterns of stimulation commonly seen in varying ethnic groups are related to factors such as educational level and family size.