Evidence from twin studies points to substantial environmental influences on intelligence, but the specifics of this influence are unclear. This study examined one developmental process that potentially causes intelligence differences: learning to read. In 1,890 twin pairs tested at 7, 9, 10, 12, and 16 years, a cross-lagged…

Case studies of extremely gifted individuals often reveal unique patterns of intellectual precocity and associated abnormalities in development and behavior. This article begins with a review of current neurophysiological and neuroanatomical findings related to the gifted population. The bulk of scientific inquiries provide evidence of unique…

The author believes that creativity and intelligence in children develop only minimally according to a built-in pace but depend mainly on having the opportunities to develop. (AN)

Jean Piaget's theories about the development of intelligence and their implications for educational practice are explored. Before Piaget began studying the intellectual processes of children, researchers regarded them as "little adults." He derived his early fame from his theory of the "cognitive stages" of childhood. He…

A critical review. Evidence supporting the sibling-tutoring explanation is evaluated and alternatives are presented. Alternatives include age spacing as an explanation for the intelligence discontinuity of last borns, and the idea that only children are more likely to come from single-parent homes. (BB)

Discusses a study of reading comprehension of fourth grade students by an instrument constructed by the investigator and based upon Piaget's developmental construct of intelligence. (TO)

A brief review of the psychological literature on the characteristics of only children is presented in order to determine if the one-child family should be avoided or advocated. The relevant literature is found to be limited in quantity and conceptualization of the only child. Previous literature is divided into three types of study: those with…

Mothers were asked to predict their children's responses to standardized intelligence test items. Negative correlation was expected between inaccurate maternal knowledge of children's ability and degree of children's psychological development. False maternal predictions correlated - .80 with correct children's responses. Nearly all of the…

Discusses recent brain-research findings relevant for educators: the brain changes physiologically as a result of experience; IQ is not fixed at birth; some abilities are acquired more easily during certain windows of opportunity; and learning is strongly influenced by emotion. Environmental enrichment unmistakably influences the brain's growth…

This study reports the contribution of maternal general ability, some developmental milestones, early motor development, language development, and experiences, to intelligence as measured at age 5. Results confirm that there is a relatively low level of prediction of intelligence. (Author/KC)

Piaget's ideas are discussed: that the basic thrust of education is determined by the intellectual development of the child, that the child's intelligence develops in definite stages, and that the goal of the developmental process is to reason in logical terms. (MLW)