The interactions of Efe infants and toddlers in Zaire with their parents, other adults, and other children were observed. Efe children experienced a pattern of simultaneous and multiple relationships, rather than a pattern that initially focuses on one person and then progresses to other relationships. (BC)

Takes the position, contrary to that of Sandra Scarr, that the details of socialization patterns are crucial to an understanding of normal and deviant development. Research is cited to support the argument that better than adequate parenting optimizes the development of both normal and vulnerable children and that parents' belief in their own…

Phenomenological interviews conducted with 30 attendees and 15 alumni of Wyoming's High School Institute (HSI), a summer residential program for high ability 15-year olds, identified 2 primary themes relating to the social and emotional needs and experiences of the subjects. Themes included social experiences and awareness of others. Subcategories…

Examined young adolescents' self-perception of achievement and their self-esteem during the transition to junior high school. Self-esteem scores declined during the transition but increased during seventh grade. Self-concepts of ability for math, English, and social activities declined after the transition. (SH)

Sixth graders in adult care during out-of-school hours were contrasted with sixth graders in self-care. Results revealed no differences between adolescents in adult care and those in self-care at home. Girls in self-care who were more distant from adult supervision and lacking in parental acceptance and firm control reported more problem behavior.…

Reviews evolution of "good practice" and "child-centered" primary education. Discusses matching students' abilities to learning tasks. Examines study of selected teachers' classroom techniques in terms of pupil self-management, group teaching, active learning, and social confidence promotion. Questions value of matching,…

This literature review examines the ways in which children's personal premise systems concerning the nature of relationships develop through the process of attachment to the caregiver. The manner in which the premise system becomes a generalized model of self and others is considered. (Author/GLR)

Sixty-two preschool and kindergarten programs were examined with regard to various instructional practices. An observations protocol was developed to assess social and motivational effects of instructional practice in early childhood education programs. Program participants who had relatively high scores on the social context subscales had…

This review of 27 studies examining social skills interventions (such as modeling, role playing, goal setting, and verbal self-instruction) and their effects on students with behavior problems found a number of interventions to be successful. The interventions yielded changes in self, teacher, and parent perceptions, though peer perceptions were…

Commendable as it is for children to have high self-esteem, many practices advocated in pursuit of this goal may inadvertently develop narcissism through excessive preoccupation with oneself. Self-esteem is more likely to be fostered when children have opportunities to build self-confidence through effort, persistence, and accrual of skills. (SLD)

Describes Turkey's preschool system and discusses the outcomes of (1) an investigation of the effects of social class and preschool center type on child and staff behaviors; and (2) a project to develop an intervention model for disadvantaged environments, while comparing the impact of educational preschools, custodial preschools, and home care on…

Assessed differences in masculinity, femininity, and sex role attitudes in adolescent girls and boys, and the relation of pubertal timing to intensification of those attitudes. Found that sex differences in masculinity and sex role attitudes increased with age. Pubertal timing was unrelated to masculinity, femininity, and sex role attitudes. (BC)

Frequent shared activities between mother and child may compensate for disruptive features of mothers' work or may transmit psychological benefits of work to children. Results also suggest that family processes differ as a function of work circumstances. (BC)

Describes the integrated comprehensive school (ICS) in Germany, where, as of 1988, 90 percent of all students attended traditional schools. Traces the history of comprehensive schools in Germany and examines their philosophy and objectives. States comprehensive schooling cannot create equal social entitlements but can encourage all students to…

Examined influences of friends and friendships on adjustment to junior high school via self-reports, peer nominations, teacher ratings, and school records. Found that sociability and leadership increased if students had high-quality friendships, and behavior problems increased if students had friends with behavioral problems. Separate and…