Children growing up today face unprecedented perils and problems, and for many children the world frequently seems to be an unpredictable place. Pressures on children come from a variety of sources, such as family, peer relationships, and changes in society. (JD)

Discusses the need for smoking prevention programs that help adolescents resist social pressure and that use the results of current smoking prevention research. Theoretical foundations of current smoking prevention programs are also provided. (AS)

A theory is presented explaining some gifted students' tendency to underachieve after showing promise in younger years. It is argued that reductions from originally high levels of empowerment and support from parents may cause reduced academic effort and performance. Guidelines for avoiding this pitfall while empowering children are offered. (PB)

Discusses ways for parents (and educators) to use the life stories of heroes, such as individuals who rescued Jews from the Holocaust, to foster children's moral courage, sense of right and wrong, and commitment to others. (MDM)

Examines the effect of birth order on child development, noting that spacing of children, gender, family size, and family configuration all play a role in determining what effect birth order will have. The article looks at various traits of firstborn, middle, lastborn, and only children. (SM)

Offers suggestions for counselors and parents regarding active role parents can play in career development of their adolescent children. Three dimensions of the active role of parents are discussed: intentionality and meaning attributed to career influence by parents and adolescents, use of narrative, and sources of conflict. (Author/NB)

Considers the effects on the family of the principles of individualism and capitalism that permeate Western culture. Finds Western culture creating autonomous, self-reliant, competitive, and consumer-oriented individuals, who create families that are chaotic, tenuous, and non-relational in their mode of operation. Discusses the educator's role in…

This booklet highlights the results of research findings on the impact of television on children and provides advice for parents on why and how they can exercise some moderating influence on television's impact. The issues covered include the effect of the amount of time children spend watching television, the impact on children of televised…

Principles of the book, "The Hurried Child" by David Elkind, are applied to gifted children. The areas of school, media, parents, and peers are examined in the context of their "hurried effects" on gifted children. (DB)

The article considers whether young deaf children of hearing parents should learn American Sign Language (ASL) as their first language and whether teachers in day high school programs should use manual communication. It concludes that, because ASL is the key to deaf culture, it should be used by parents and teachers. (DB)

This article offers parents or teachers guiding gifted and talented students with a counseling model which uses the acronym of MOTHER to suggest intervention strategies including: Mentorship, Opportunities, inTegrity, High state of moral development, Emotional intelligence development, and Responsibility. Concepts of Chinese philosophy are also…

This first part of a two-part paper discusses how the conception of giftedness has been changing, the influences of home and school, characteristics of very able learners, and the understanding and support needed from parents and teachers. (DB)

It appears extremely advantageous for highly gifted children if their parents can work in close collaboration with education authorities. How an individualized education program for one child was devised, and comments on preschool and tertiary education are given. (MNS)

Examines important issues for parents to consider when dealing with children of divorce and discusses several problem points to avoid, including loyalty conflicts, good parent/evil parent, family secrets, and feeling cheated. Several suggestions for helping children cope are offered. (SM)

Children begin school with some very basic ideas about written language and reading. The first is that of sign and message. That a graphic representation, a "sign," conveys meaning is an early and easy concept for children that stems from their visually attending to print in their environment. The realization that spoken language can be…