Argues that understanding of five major dimensions of normal child development can be useful for those who work with special children: child development theories, norms, research models, intervention models, and communication techniques. (RH)

If health educators refuse to face the issue of death caused by war, hunger, and other man-made catastrophies, they may be unable to act to improve the quality of life. Local programs which encourage social well-being and resources which deal with peace on the global level are discussed. (PP)

Tested the effectiveness of a skill-training method, Structured Learning Therapy (SLT), and identified variables that will promote transfer of training. Disruptive male adolescents (N=43) were assigned to three experimental and two control conditions. Found groups receiving the SLT performed significantly better than groups not receiving SLT.…

This study of 44 kindergarten pupils, 40 second graders, and 32 fourth graders assesses (1) prosocial intentions toward a friend in situations in everyday life, (2) prosocial behavior toward a friend in tasks in which sharing leads to decreases in children's own and relative gains, and (3) sex differences in the effects of friendship on prosocial…

Thirty-four pairs of same-sex siblings were observed for two one-hour periods in their homes. The younger siblings averaged 20 months of age and the age interval between siblings was either large (2.5-4 years) or small (1-2 years). (JMB)

When parents were sent television viewing guides listing (1) programs containing violent or otherwise antisocial behaviors, or (2) programs containing positive, prosocial behaviors, both groups of parents discouraged their children from watching some of the antisocial programs. Viewing guides sent to a third group, listing both antisocial and…

Presents findings of two studies that sought to clarify the issue of the comparative effectiveness of two different methods of prosocial teaching for the very young: depicting the desired behavior in a totally prosocial setting v depicting the desired behavior as a strategy for resolving an explicitly portrayed conflict situation. (Author)

Reviews research on the relationship of high ambient temperatures to physiological adaptation, performance, and the social behaviors of attraction, aggression, and helping. (EF)

Educators have long been aware of the potent force of peer influence. This article presents a program in which students can feel important and worthwhile in useful ways by becoming involved with other students, such as leading a small group or in working with students individually. (Author)

Discusses the development of aggression in young children, methods for dealing with it and ways of helping children acquire more prosocial behaviors. (Author/SB)

Reviews three contemporary movies, "Sleepers,""Girls Town," and "Slingblade" in which the common thread is abuse of helpless children by patriarchal authorities, adult white men who assert power over young people. In all three movies, the anger of the young people and their friends suggests respect for the…

Examined group and individual factors that facilitate changes in cooperation and learning outcomes in trained and untrained work groups of elementary school-age children (N=192). Results indicate observable differences between student interactions in the two conditions. Trained students were more cooperative and helpful to each other, compared to…

Describes the educational program at Benjamin Franklin Middle School in Ridgewood, New Jersey, as an example of the potential for synergy between content instruction and character development. Highlights how the school follows guidelines from the publication "Promoting Social and Emotional Learning, Guidelines for Educators." (EV)

Examined whether generalization about prosocial style of well-accepted children applies to conflicts involving rights infraction. Interviewed fourth- and fifth-graders about strategies for handling situations in which a peer infringes on their rights. Found that well-accepted children were neither aggressive nor particularly prosocial in conflict…

Uses examples from the Schaefer School in Tappan (New York) to illustrate how an elementary school can develop an educational climate that fosters friendship, the key to student socialization. Discusses the following areas: (1) classroom activities; (2) school-wide democratic governance structures; (3) support staff roles; and (4) time scheduling.…