THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMPETENCE IN FAVORABLE AND UNFAVORABLE ENVIRONMENTS - LESSONS FROM RESEARCH ON SUCCESSFUL CHILDREN

The development of competence holds great interest for parents and soc iety alike. This article considers implications from research on compe tence and resilience in children and adolescents for policy and interv entions designed to foster better outcomes among children at risk. Fou ndations of competence in early development are discussed, focusing on the role of attachment relationships and self-regulation. Results fro m studies of competence in the domains of peer relations, conduct, sch ool, work, and activities are highlighted. Lessons are drawn from stud ies of naturally occurring resilience among children at risk because o f disadvantage or trauma and also from efforts to deliberately alter t he course of competence through early childhood education and preventi ve interventions. Converging evidence suggests that the same powerful adaptive systems protect development in both favorable and unfavorable environments.