This multi-method study examined mothers' and fathers' cognitive stimulation during parent--child interactions and toddlers' moral regulation (assessed via parent reports) as predictors of their executive functioning skills approximately 2½ years later. Forty children (23 girls and 17 boys) and their parents participated in both timepoints.…

Young children's misbehaviours can be challenging to interpret, evaluate, and intervene on. In turn, adults' interventions on children's transgressions inform children about how others view their actions. In the current research, we examined adult responses to recordings of everyday transgressions committed by young children. This research adopted…

The aim of this study was to determine the socialization goals related to the moral education taught by preschool teachers of children aged 2-6 years in two different cultures, Indonesia and Germany. Thirteen preschools with 138 teachers from Yogyakarta, Indonesia, and 20 preschools with 73 teachers from Bielefeld and Muenster, Germany answered a…

This paper reports young (3-5 year-olds') children's cognitive and affective understanding of actual moral (harm to others) and prudential (harm to self) transgressions in the family, as reported by the parent, but in a way that provides the child the opportunity to reflect on and reason about the actual events. A total of 38 parent-child dyads…

The present study examined whether young children demonstrated consistencies in their allocation patterns across distributions of positive and negative resources. Preschool children from younger (age 4-5) and elder (age 5-6) classrooms were asked to allocate rewards when one person contributed more than the other and to allocate the responsibility…

Urie Bronfenbrenner is almost certainly best known for his theoretical writings about the ecology of human development. His interest in theory was not, however, separate from his practical concerns, particularly those related to early education and care of children and the families and teachers who interact with them. From the role that he played…

Major developmental theories been a resource to early childhood education researchers and educators. They help to explain how child development unfolds, sources of vulnerability and protection that influences child development, and how the course of development may be altered by prevention and intervention efforts. Understanding factors which may…

Kohlberg's theory of moral development has maintained a dominant position in cognitive moral development literature over several decades. This universal influence has been particularly evident in its application to moral education literature and policy. A closer assessment of Kohlberg's theoretical conceptualization suggests the application of…

One of the critical challenges that faces societies today is how to educate children and young people to cope with the ever demanding contexts in which they live. This education must include the relationships and support that facilitate socio-emotional development. This writing explores the work of Pestalozzi, a pioneering pedagogue, who, over two…

Considers how forgiveness is learned and what developmental features it has in common with other prosocial activities. Maintains that viewing forgiveness within a moral developmental framework does not consider its complex nature nor address related issues such as damage severity, restoring relationships, empathy, or altruism. Explores these areas…

Studies the strategies that 41 perpetrators of child abuse used to insure that the victim remained silent. Results indicate that the perpetrators altered their strategies to coincide with the developmental level of the child. (RJC)

Focuses on one prominent approach to critical thinking, involving the development of philosophical and moral reasoning in young children and rejects arguments that may be advanced against the introduction of such work in schools. Examines a discussion by young children. (DR)

Investigates the relationship between distributive justice, immanent justice, and egocentricism for 21 preschoolers and 24 second graders. These concepts were assessed using the Distribution Justice Scale, immanent justice stories, and an adaptation of Piaget's mountain task. Results indicated significant main effects for age and a significant…

The moral and social development of 63 preschoolers was studied according to the Piagetian-structural approach to moral reasoning. Cognitive maturation and social interaction were considered. Implications from theory and research are offered to educators who wish to facilitate preschoolers' moral and social development through curriculum…

Investigated beliefs on immanent justice of over 2000 children of 4-14 years. Results suggest a modification of the Piagetian hypothesis. They also suggest that the influence of religious instruction should not be ignored. (RJC)