How can we use insights from cutting-edge science to improve the well-being and long-term life prospects of the most vulnerable children in our society? This is both a critical challenge and a powerful opportunity to affect the trajectories of millions of children in the United States and around the world. It is a question of particular importance…

In May 2010, the Center for Juvenile Justice Reform (CJJR) at Georgetown University released the monograph "Addressing the Unmet Educational Needs of Children and Youth in the Juvenile Justice and Child Welfare Systems" (Leone & Weinberg, 2010). The monograph examined a number of topics relevant to the education and experiences of…

The article relates the concept of giftedness and ways of identifying giftedness to Jean Piaget's theories of intelligence. Four implications are indicated, including that distinctions between gifted and nongifted children can be made at the end of the concrete operational level (about 8-10 years old). (CL)

The author suggests methods for developing thinking and feeling processes (as conceptualized in type II Enrichment in J. Renzulli's Enrichment Triad model) for gifted and talented students. A taxonomy is presented which addresses four objectives: (1) cognitive and affective training, (2) slow-to-learn skills, (3) use of research and reference…

The article reviews the development of infant cognitive assessment and describes selected tests. Considerations in choosing, administering, and interpreting the results of infant intelligence/cognitive assessment instruments are outlined. The usefulness of cognitive assessment is discussed as are new approaches to assessment. (Author/DB)

The paper reviews definitions of differentiated curricula for gifted students and considers approaches for differentiation. Curriculum content can be modified by making it more abstract, more complex, more varied, and organized differently from the regular curriculum. Process modification can be accomplished through higher level thinking,…

Pretend play is often undervalued and ignored. This videotape and accompanying booklet highlight how the dramatic scenarios, microworlds, storytelling, and block building of pretend play provide young children the opportunity to develop skills for a lifetime of intellectual, social, emotional, and creative development. The booklet describes the…

Presents 10 guidelines that staff developers can utilize when assisting teachers in teaching thinking skills to students. Provides guidelines for both practical and theoretical guidance for developing workshop materials, conducting training sessions, and conducting follow-up activities. (AH)

This booklet is intended to help teachers and prospective teachers of mentally retarded students to understand the ways in which intellect affects the understanding of reality. Its recommendations are based on G. Kylen's theory of the intellect and J. Piaget's theory of intellectual development. The initial section describes the function and…

The paper reviews research on cerebral hemispheric functioning and considers the implications for instruction of the deaf. The nature of right and left hemisphere function and communication is addressed, as are findings on cerebral asymmetry for aspects of language processing. Studies on hemispheric specialization of hearing impaired persons…

Guidelines are given for teaching basic concepts (such as "above,""least," and "different") to students who are educable mentally handicapped. Stressed is direct and systematic instruction in basic concepts as an integral part of the curriculum with concrete, representative, and abstract applications. (DB)

Educators must provide conditions which encourage the practice and demonstration of intelligent behaviors. Twelve characteristics of intelligent behavior are discussed, such as persistence, decreasing impulsivity, listening to others, metacognition, questioning and problem posing, etc. A summary of the school conditions in which intelligent…

A psychotherapist suggests the use of a storytelling technique called "Creative Characters" to strengthen learning disabled children's cognitive and emotional functioning. The process of creating stories that represent key features of the child's world offers a means to strengthen both cognitive and emotional functioning, especially the…

The author describes an evaluation of persons with suspected learning disabilities. Two types of tests are considered (mental maturity and basic language skills) and examples of each are given. Sample profiles exhibiting irregular development of aptitudes are provided and observations from informal as well as formal assessment are suggested. (CL)

Presents a set of guidelines for selecting hardware to promote students' sensory, cognitive, emotional, and social development. (MP)