The theories of progressive educators are compared to those of liberal-rationalist reformers such as R. S. Peters, P. H. Hirst, and R. F. Dearden. Particular attention is given to differences in their views on personal autonomy of students, the value of child-centered versus subject-centered curriculum, and the importance of authority in the…

Jean-Jacques Rousseau's educational and political thought is compared to that of John Locke. Rousseau's theories, as expressed in "Emile," are placed in the context of some of that author's other works to show how his educational theories can seem practical in terms of his views on social and political inequality. (PP)

Recent thinking about the components of sexual identity (biological sex, gender identity, sexual preference, and social sex role) are examined. It is argued that confusion between correlation and causality in these areas restrict the development of all children. Examples and suggestions for avoiding stereotyping of school children are given.…

Reviews research on the effects of Montessori schooling on children. Results are presented in six sections: (1) general verbal intelligence; (2) perceptual, motor, and performance IQ development; (3) academic achievement and school readiness; (4) attention, concentration, resistance to distraction, and impulsiveness; (5) Piagetian conceptual…

Linguistic and perceptual tests were administered to learning disabled readers (LDR) and normal readers (NR). Results found six LDR subgroups all significantly different. Differences were found among the six LDR subgroups on measures of oral reading, reading comprehension, and spelling skills, but not on family history and developmental…

The author examines Maria Montessori's philosophy and methods of music education for children, with its emphasis on sensory, manipulative materials and instruments designed specifically for the young child. (KC)

Provides justification for the maintenance of a university elementary school. Emphasizes the school's function as a laboratory of applied psychology and its scientific aim. Discusses the contrasting educational approaches associated with contemporary and previous psychological theory. Analyzes three stages of a child's growth to link psychological…

Analyzes the way fairy tales reflect and clarify real-life situations, human behavior, and moral values, enabling children to contemplate powerful and urgent themes. (GT)

The author, writing from the first-person viewpoint of a child, relates what he hopes for from school in terms of learning, respect, climate, and understanding. (KC)

A total of 122 middle-class White boys and girls aged 3 through 12 years were interviewed to determine the nature and the development of their concepts of death and the impact of experience on those concepts. (Author/BH)

Concludes that at worst, welfare states should be regarded as only one of the unwelcome aspects of poverty, not as a cause of disability. (Author/AM)

Explores the relationship between early childhood teachers' adult gender role beliefs and their attitudes about children's gender role behavior. Responses from 103 (mostly women) teachers expressed some openness to children exploring gender roles, and felt more comfortable with girls rather than boys in this exploration. When teachers did have…

Examines the extent of mothers' and fathers' involvement in children's play, and stylistic variations in that play. Results from 35 preschool children from multiethnic families reveal boys played differently than girls and parental involvement was also different. Parent's different interactions with sons' versus daughters' playing shows that…

This book reports on the extensive longitudinal study of children's language development by B. Hart and T. Risley. Their detailed recording of children's language experience over the first three years of life provides a valuable example of assessing environmental quality. Implications for improving day care and academic achievement are discussed.…

Argues that children develop--at home, in school, and in the community--a repertoire of attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors that prepare them to become peaceful, cooperative, caring adults. Provides examples of instruction in caring through family life, household activities, classroom curriculum, the classroom environment, instructional techniques,…