At preschool age, it is generally accepted that children's main pursuit is play. In particular, pretend play has a major role in supporting a preschooler's learning processes. Early pretend play involves object substitution, before later progressing to the incorporation of invisible objects. The purpose of the presented study was to validate that…

Educational pioneers believed that the early childhood curriculum was inappropriate for most of the children. It needed to be modified to meet each child's maturing needs, abilities, and interests. The pioneers advocated that education should be more hands-on and assist children to function successfully in society. They recommended the initiation…

The central aim of this paper is to undertake a critical review of arguments which propose that chess should be taught in schools and other educational settings. In particular, I offer an answer to the question: "Should chess be taught in early childhood?" Many claims have been made about the educational benefits of chess instruction. In…

Argues that a continuous concern for intellectual education from primary school to university is one of the chief educational ways of pursuing autonomy as an ideal. Characteristics of intellectual education are delineated and counter-arguments are advanced against the criticism that intellectual education is one-sided. (RH)

Reviews a central problem of Piagetian theory, that of necessary knowledge, or knowledge that must necessarily follow from previously accepted information. Discusses three implications of this problem for education: (1) assessment of children's judgments and justifications; (2) intellectual development over time and according to developmental…

Emphasizes need to systematically identify gifted children. Defines the term "gifted" and considers three groups in detail: children of high intelligence, children of high academic aptitude, and talented children. Offers strategy for educational diagnosis of gifted children. (DST)

Examined the intellectual development of 74 preschool children for contributions of family size, birth order, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, and parent-child relationships. Found that socioeconomic status and warmth of the father-child relationship made significant, positive contributions to children's intellectual development. Found support for…

Examined relationships among young children's metacognitive processing and creative ability, based on information-processing theory and Vygotsky's early thought development theory. Twenty-one five- and six-year olds were assessed on four attributes of creativity, and their private speech was coded. Specific qualities and characteristics of…

Argues for the need to provide more counseling services to families with disabled children. Describes three basic frameworks, considered necessary for counseling professionals, including understanding (1) the parent-professional relationship, (2) the psychological functioning of individuals, and (3) the process of counseling. (Author/DST)

Discusses the implementation of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child, including progress made since 1989, and aims of early childhood education under the convention's mission and ideals. Proposes that the convention should be enacted in domestic law and become a reality in day-to-day teaching, thus ensuring that the philosophy of the…

Presents theoretical background for building an early childhood curriculum based on the Educare approach. Five principles are explained. They emphasize that learning drives development and that social interaction, interpersonal relationships, mutual understanding, and culture are unique in developmental processes. Concludes that teachers can have…