This article describes three very different family environments that nurtured highly gifted children: the Brontes, George Washington Carver, and a group of contemporary siblings in Wales. All cases illustrate the importance of early stimulating environments, including the dynamic interaction of children with nurturing adults, development of the…

Presents a historical and philosophical overview of ideas about permanence versus change in the self over time. Discusses the personal-narrative approach to the problem of identity continuity, describes a typology of strategies whereby adolescents interviewed in Canada made sense of self-continuity and change, and discusses significant differences…

Argues that New Hampshire high-stakes test administered at the end of the third grade is flawed and thus should be discontinued because the questions are not only too abstract, but beyond the knowledge and experience of most third graders. (Contains 23 references.) (PKP)

Data collected from young adults in a life skills course with collage and stimulus instruments were classified as follows: reaction, remembering, learning, behavior change, and life philosophy. Pictorial stimuli proved effective in assessing affective goals and usefully supplemented other forms of assessment. (SK)

Claims that mind and mental objects form a societal mental structure enabling children to assimilate the society and become co-constructing members. Cites evidence that competence to create mental objects, symbols, and meanings separated from action is the evolutionary evolved human capacity for society and culture. Vygotsky's "natural"…

Contrasts work of Leontiev and Vygotsky. Suggests that Leontiev concentrated on social activity as a whole, whereas Vygotsky made semiotic mediation through culturally developed symbols a central aspect of his analysis. Maintains that they shared a philosophical base and that Leontiev used Vygotsky's ideas as a starting point to explore human…

Comparison of 52 British managers who completed National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) and 104 with academic management qualifications showed both groups developed similar competence. The academic group was higher in written/numerical ability and the NVQ group was higher in team management. NVQs appear to develop general skills and personal…

Decreasing emphasis on the environment in outdoor and adventure education is resulting in ecologically less knowledgeable participants. It is critical that the environment continue to be part of these programs for three reasons: citizenship and stewardship; empathy and counterbalancing a narcissistic focus on thrills; and opportunities to get in…

A study examining the impacts of camp on staff interviewed 29 former seasonal camp staff. All respondents reported positive benefits in their personal and professional lives and the strong influence of camp in shaping career choices. Reflections on camp fell into three categories: uniqueness of camp, making memories for kids, and freedom. (TD)

Outdoor behavioral healthcare (OBH), using wilderness therapy and related outdoor programming, is an emerging treatment for adolescents with behavioral, psychological, and substance abuse disorders. A literature review examining OBH outcomes related to self-concept, interpersonal skills, substance abuse, criminal recidivism, and behavioral and…

Describes the threat social violence and abuse pose to the psychological and religious development of young people. Discusses strategies aimed at restoring young people's sense of safety and hope by citing seven themes for successful resilience, coping, and developmental assets that a community can control. (CMK)

Reviews theories of adult learning over the lifespan grounded in anthroposophy, the philosophy of Rudolf Steiner's Waldorf Schools. Examines parenting as a vocation through this perspective and the implications for the learning needs of parents. (Contains 35 references.) (SK)

Working in a special needs camp does not require extra-human qualities, it's a matter of changing attitudes. Working with special needs campers presents unique challenges, especially for international staff, but the rewards are proportional to the risks. Working with special needs children is also an opportunity to gain valuable life experiences…

Summarizes the most important results of two international studies, the Educational Careers and Psychosocial Development in Youth (ECPDY) and the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). Addresses the problems of measuring school achievement and determining social behavior and other attributes. (CMK)

Identifies developmental literacy characteristics of 3 age groups: 18-36 months, 4-5 years, and 6-8 years. Provides lists of developmentally appropriate books in Spanish. These include bibliographies and summaries meant to assist the teacher in promoting cultural diversity among students. (DG)