Examined two hypotheses regarding activity level: (1) early appearing stability; and (2) inversion of intensity. Measured behavioral intensity or activity level six times between the neonatal period and first grade. Results indicated that parent ratings supported activity level stability. Observations revealed that intense neonatal activity…

A quarterly newsletter outlining childhood developmental and behavioral issues was sent to foster families. Foster parents (n=150) were pretested regarding their attitudes toward child development situations and behavior problems. Posttesting after the fourth issue found that many of these attitudes were influenced by material in the newsletter.…

Analyzed toddlers' verbal speech concurrent with nonverbal behavior. Fourteen dyads of unfamiliar peers were observed at 16, 20, 24, and 32 months of age. Found that six types of speech increased in frequency only after the peer partners had shown a marked increase in their readiness to imitate each others' nonverbal actions. (MOK)

Investigates the 10% to 20% null subject stage in 3-year-olds in Germany and shows that this stage, though long, is not final. Findings indicate that children in this phase use structures found neither in the state of early null subjects nor in adult German, namely, postverbal referential null subjects. Further study is proposed. (94 references)…

Profiles James Comer's success at directing the Yale Child Study Center and implementing the School Development Project in predominantly black, low-income school districts. Today, a training program called the Comer Project for Change in Education is operating in more than 600 schools in 82 districts and 26 states. Comer's proudest achievement is…

A teaching experiment involving 30 third graders investigated the transformation of their concepts of numbers. Observations of their notations and problem-solving procedures show development that progresses from a focus on states to a type of reasoning in which changes become quantifiable "objects of awareness." (SLD)

Suggests that the Internet plays an important role in socialization and that children need to be recognized as active participants rather than passive recipients of multimedia texts and messages. Argues that there needs to be a shift away from the current emphasis on restriction to a focus on communication between adults and children. (LRW)

Four studies based on two longitudinal investigations examined the relation between social rejection and increased antisocial behavior. Found that early peer rejection (ages 6 to 8) predicted growth in aggression (at ages 10 to 12); findings were replicated in children ages 5 to 8. Rejection exacerbated antisocial development only among children…

Three studies of how heredity and environment affect child development are described. Suggestions for applying this knowledge to the management of camper behavior include asking about a child's environment on the camp health form, consulting parents and professionals about a child's behavior, providing loving and safe consequences, and making camp…

Emphasizes that the Brazleton and Greenspan book focuses on the needs of children, not those of parents or service providers, spotlighting healthy maturation. Stresses recommendations for public policy, research, and clinical experiences. (SD)

Reviews explanatory dimensions of children's false memory relevant to forensic practice: measurement, development, social factors, individual differences, varieties of memories and memory judgments, and varieties of procedures inducing false memories. Asserts that recent studies fail to use techniques that separate acquiescence from memory…

Describes what artistic play is and how it can be integrated into classroom activities. Gives an example with preschool children creating artistic solutions to a role playing situation given to them by their teacher. States that artistic play is facilitated by the proper environment and by teachers. (DAJ)

Examined conflict behavior of 50 3-year olds in day care centers to learn how and why adults become involved in children's conflicts. Found that adults were more likely to intervene when there was some physical activity involved in the conflict, and that this heading off of violence may inhibit children from learning to deal independently with…

A study of 20 gifted children (ages 9-14) provides the basis of a model of social and emotional adjustment to stressors presented in this article. Intrapersonal, family, school, and peer influences, as well as functional and dysfunctional patterns of social and emotional adjustment, are explained within the framework of the model. (Author/CR)

The Transdisciplinary Play-Based Assessment--Deaf Model is an assessment process for deaf or hearing impaired children (6 months to 6 years). A team of professionals and parents observes the child during a play session and documents skills and behaviors. The team then uses the accumulated assessment information as a basis for developing…