From Neurons to Neighborhoods: The Science of Early Childhood Development
Shonkoff, JP and Phillips, DA. Washington, DC: National Research Council and Institute of Medicine, 2000.

This book presents important conclusions about nature-versus-nurture, the impact of being born into a working family, the effect of politics on programs for children, the costs and benefits of intervention, and other issues. The committee issues a series of challenges to decision makers regarding the quality of child care, issues of racial and ethnic diversity, the integration of children's cognitive and emotional development, and more.

D. Rydz, et al. “Developmental Screening,” J Child Neurol.  2005; 20(1): 4-21.Using a developmental screen “improves the accuracy with which children are identified when compared with decisions based only on clinical judgment.”  

American Academy of Pediatrics,. “Developmental Surveillance and Screening of Infants and Young Children.”  Pediatrics 2001; 108(1):192-195. Retrieved October 6, 2005.  http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;108/1/192. 

The primary care practitioner's office is the only place where most children younger than five years are seen and is ideal for developmental and behavioral screening.”