Determines when U.S. children begin to self-handicap, that is, to reduce preparation effort before evaluations. Finds that the high-self-esteem third graders acted adaptively by practicing more for the evaluation task, while the high-self-esteem sixth graders prepared more only if they had been reminded of their personal resources beforehand. (CMK)

Provides an introduction and overview of the development of self-determination and recommendations for instruction during preschool and early elementary years. Describes a model of instruction designed to promote self- determination for kindergarten through third grade. Includes suggestions for supporting families to promote this outcome.…

Since 1936, this Phoenixville (Pennsylvania) school, summer day camp, and day care center for children aged 2-7 has implemented the philosophy that children learn best through play, in a nurturing environment where loving people attend to their physical and emotional needs and their intellectual and artistic growth. Contains a resource list of…

This article discusses similarities and differences between learning to read and spell words. While the processes are closely related and correlations between reading and spelling are high, the amount of information to be drawn from memory is greater for spellers who must produce multiple letters correctly sequenced than for readers. (Contains…

Addresses the potential art has for developing and defining the self in young children. Provides an overview of the various stages in children's development of self through art focusing on their conceptions of space, the onset of realism in their drawings, and adopting themes as a mode of expression. (CMK)

Describes plan to integrate collaborative and interprofessional competencies into core curricula of human service professional preparation programs at California State University, focusing on a joint seminar incorporating self-assessment and case analysis. Compares case discussions of nursing, criminal justice, and child development students.…

Compared psychosocial outcomes for mothers and their infants who had been delivered vaginally or by planned or unplanned cesarean deliveries. Found that women low in neuroticism who delivered by unplanned cesarean showed less positive affect toward infants at 4 months than did women in other groups. Found some evidence that maternal appraisal of…

Discusses the reasons for the rise in IQ scores over time. Demonstrates the effect of the decrease in age at levels of schooling on the rise in IQ scores utilizing the data from the 1936 and 1968 standardization of the Otis Intermediate Test of Mental Ability, Form A, in New Zealand. (CMK)

Investigates changes in children's socioemotional development, achievement, and self-concept after the birth of a sibling. Data from a national longitudinal survey of preschool-aged children, over a two-year and a four-year period, indicate that a sibling's birth accompanied significant, albeit temporary, increases in children's behavior problems.…

Describes the factors that influence children's competence when they are being interviewed about sexual abuse and discusses ways in which investigative interviewers can maximize the quality and quantity of information they obtain from alleged witnesses and victims. Strategies for developing rapport and eliciting factual information are described.…

Presents case studies of three children with autism who received educational services in a public-school-affiliated early childhood program during preschool and kindergarten and have had positive outcomes. All children made substantial developmental and academic progress, entered elementary school in inclusive settings, and continue to thrive.…

Examines research findings on the resilience of infants and toddlers raised in poverty and stress. Describes the personal and environmental resilience characteristics of infancy and toddlerhood that are related to later resilience in middle childhood and adulthood. Highlights research findings significant for policymakers and caregivers, offering…

Explores the link among music content and teaching style and the changes in children's ratings of musical self-competence and their motivation to continue in music. Tested 100 Portuguese children over three years. Finds that declines in both motivation and evaluation of self-competence may be explained by excessive emphasis on aural skills and…

Discusses mental retardation and giftedness, stressing the importance of individual differences in the differential design of educational strategies and the application of approaches developed with special populations to normally developing children. Current social inequalities affect both fields in particular ways. Numerous research agendas can…

This article addresses issues in parent-child attachment, identifies the implications such attachment relations have for child development, and provides strategies to facilitate optimal parent-child attachment. Strategies for early child educators include speaking up and helping if awkward attachment relations are sensed and honoring and affirming…