This paper considers the insights that can be gained into the 'actual' curriculum, as compared to the 'intended' curriculum, by using an approach which probes the structure of children's understanding. This approach, known as the clinical interview, can be used by teachers and curriculum evaluators to help children understand curriculum content.…

Discusses Piaget's pre-operational, concrete operational, and formal operational stages and shows how this information sheds light on how children approach computers and computing, particularly with the LOGO programming language. (JN)

Authors explore some newly developed concepts about learning and discuss the influence of these concepts on current investigations of cognitive development in children. (HS)

This study was concerned with student transition from concrete to formal cognitive functioning. Results of training 32 fifth-grade and 32 seventh-grade students indicated that instruction can effect the desired transition of ability to isolate and control variables. (SL)

First and second graders' understanding of transitivity for each of the relations "larger than,""smaller than,""longer than," and "shorter than" was investigated. Results showed that on only two of the eight comparisons did the order of presentation of the premises make a significant difference in students'…

Discusses the respective roles of rate of learning and level of cognitive development in determining intellectual performance in 156 normal and retarded children matched for mental age. (Author/LLK)

This study presents evidence to substantiate the hypothesis that an important relationship exists between prior knowledge and resulting cognitive structure subsequent to instruction; and thus that relevant existing cognitive structure is an important variable affecting learning. The subjects were 126 first-grade students. Relevant existing…

Analyzed was the mental activity required to answer Profile Test questions. This was then related to the results of pupils with differing profiles. Most of the mental activity could be reduced to three categories of knowledge: data, short operations, and paths. These categories are then discussed and applied. (MNS)

Sensory thinking is the process of bringing experienced aspects of the child's world into his focal awareness, usually through a medium such as language. (Author/IRT)

Theory and research concerning the development of spatial concepts by young children are discussed. Results of Martin and Kidder are compared with those of Piaget. (SD)

This study investigated the question of whether young children can form response chains in problem solving. After reviewing the literature relating to chaining as a component of problem solving, the author argues that a test of chaining should be free of requirements to recall previously learned material, remember general information, or apply…

Through consultation about classroom verbal interaction, the counselor can help teachers realize the extent to which the affective domain is overlooked in the classroom and can demonstrate techniques and procedures for dealing with students' emotions that should enhance learning efficiency. (Author)

Performance of first and second graders on measurement problems indicated that they are unable to relate the measurements of objects using different units to visual comparisons of quantities. (SD)

Research on mathematics learning is integrated and organized around groups of questions emerging from the primary classroom. Subjects covered include attitudes, diagnosis, readiness, effective use of concrete and manipulative materials, the role of language and vocabulary, presentation of specific content and techniques, selection of algorithms…

Piaget's theory of cognitive development is explained, especially in relation to the teaching of elementary school science. Several research projects involving Piaget's theories are reviewed. (MLH)