In Roberts and Strayer (1996), we reported that emotional expressiveness and anger were important predictors of empathy for school-age children, and that empathy strongly predicted prosocial behaviors aggregated across methods and sources. In this paper, we report how empathy was associated with direct observations of anger and aggression in peer…

The association between bullying behaviour and academic achievement was investigated in 1016 children from primary schools (6-7-year-olds/year 2: 480; 8-9-year-olds/year 4: 536). Children were individually interviewed about their bullying experiences using a standard interview. Key Stage I National Curriculum results (assessed at the end of year…

This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Social Experience Questionnaire (SEQ) in a sample of 1158 adolescents aged 13-17 years. Confirmatory factor analysis fit indices supported the hypothesized three-factor model of the SEQ that assesses overt and relational victimization, and prosocial behaviors from peers. Analyses of gender…

The annual "From the Inside" feature is intended to share real-life positive stories about working with youth. In this year's installment, Ms. Martin writes about her experience being a teenage mentor with girls in grades 6 to 8, the lessons she learned, and the impact this experience has had on her life.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention program aimed to develop fair play behaviours in a school Olympic Education program. One hundred and twenty six, 5th-grade students from 4 elementary schools participated in this study, 66 of which were in the experimental group and 60 in the control group. The results…

Recently, nonmaternal center-based child care has been linked to problem behavior in young children (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 2003). In response, a comprehensive program to promote prosocial skills was evaluated in a classroom of 16 children between the ages of 3 years and 5 years. Classroom observations were…

Social competency deficits are a core feature of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). During the past several decades, a number of social skill interventions for students with ASD have emerged. However, over the past five years, three converging issues have brought increased attention to the need for social competence programming: (1) increased ASD…

Background: Difficulties with social interaction and understanding lie at the heart of the communication disorder that characterises the autism spectrum. This study sought to improve social communication for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by means of a groupwork intervention focusing on social and emotional perspective-taking,…

Interpersonal, familial, and situational risk factors that predict young children's aggression and non-compliance are explored. Here examples of specific techniques and provided to help teachers and parents effectively support children's early development of cooperative and prosocial behaviours as well as problem-solving skills in family and…

This report informs about an international seminar, convened by the Lugansk Regional Committee of Educators for Peace. Among the interrelated themes dealt with included: (1) the role of technology in education for a new age; (2) systems thinking; (3) education for peace and new world order; (4) international projects such as "The Peace…

This paper outlines a curriculum for young children that emphasizes conflict resolution and social development. It discusses the causes of violent behavior among children and describes activities and recommends children's literature on conflict resolution that can be used in the classroom. Several activities are examined, including role-playing…

Many children with and without disabilities fail to develop the requisite social skills necessary to obtain a level of social competence that facilitates positive peer interactions and relationships. This study was designed to test a combination of training and generalization techniques to promote independent social interactions for children with…

Service learning has been shown to enhance elementary, secondary, and undergraduate college students' intellectual and prosocial behavior, cognitive learning, socialization, citizenship, self-esteem, mentoring ability, attitudes toward diverse communities, and job placement and development. This paper presents findings of a study that examined the…

This study examined care-based moral reasoning in 23 white females and 23 white males, ages 11 through 12 years in a small Canadian eastcoast town. Subjects were administered the Ethic of Care Interview (ECI), a measure administered in a structured interview format consisting of four dilemmas. In addition to three standardized, interpersonal…

Boundary breakers, the modern term for "icebreakers," tear down barriers that sometimes form within student groups and organizations, and offer a low-risk way for group members to become better acquainted. This document is a "hands on" booklet that covers such boundary-breaking activities as "Send a Letter,""The Lap Game,""One-Minute Interview,"…