If we want the best academic outcomes, the most efficient and cost-effective route to achieve that is, counterintuitively, "not" to narrowly focus on academics, but to also address children's social, emotional, and physical development. Similarly, the best and most efficient route to physical health is through also addressing emotional, social,…

When the award-winning journalist Eric Schlosser's groundbreaking book "Fast Food Nation" was published for adults, many called for his insights and research to be shared with young readers. And, when "Fast Food Nation" gained popularity as a fictional, yet factual motion picture, the buzz continued. Children, after all, are the fast-food…

The process of competition parallels the stages of play and motor development. Appropriate activities are discussed along with teaching methods. The need to educate students, teachers, and the public about appropriate competition is stressed. (MT)

Maintains that males and females have physiological and psychological differences which cause differences in perception and learning patterns, and that educational and curricular approaches should be geared to those differences. (CM)

Psychomotor skills need to be taught in technical education courses. Some students can be taught more easily than others, depending on their physical attributes. These attributes are speed, steadiness, perception, dexterity, agility/flexibility, endurance, equilibrium/balance, strength, and coordination. Before students attempt to learn vocational…

The three papers included in this symposium discuss the relevance of Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development to the early childhood practitioner. First, an overview of Piaget's theory is presented. This focusses on the particular aspects of the theory most relevant to practitioners in early childhood education. Second, curriculum…

Echoes the recommendation in "An Agenda for Excellence at the Middle Level" that junior high schools and middle schools recognize and accommodate their socially, physically, and mentally diverse populations. (SRT)

Developmental discipline (DD) is an educational system that incorporates the moral reasoning levels of L. Kohlberg into a humanistic program of moral, intellectual, social, emotional, and physical development based on accepted psychological theories. DD gives more responsibility for learning to the learner and helps the educator deal with…

Argues that building respect for the core value of diversity should be a prime motivation and consideration in determining the instructional programs as well as the governance of the classroom and activities of the middle level school. (SRT)

Revisits the middle-level school movement. Provides an overview of young adolescents' development, offers representative examples of developmentally appropriate practices, and looks at progress educators have made as well challenges encountered. Emphasizes the importance of understanding physical, pychosocial, and cognitive development in young…

Discusses the needs of adolescents and how teachers should accommodate these needs in order to encourage learning and to make their job easier. (SRT)