Studied youth living in housing developments (N=700) and youth living in conventional housing (N=700) to examine the role of public housing in drug use. Correlates and predictors of alcohol and drug use were used. Results indicate few significant mean differences in psychosocial functioning or drug behavior for the two groups. (RJM)

Discusses the efficacy of anti-drug public service announcements (PSAs) for preventing drug-related behavior (DRB) among youth. Focuses on persuasive communication and drug prevention and the factors associated with DRB. Claims that the success of any anti-drug PSA will be limited to that scope of behavior targeted for change. (RJM)

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…

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)

Groups of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) children taking a placebo, high dose, or low dose of Ritalin were compared in their responses to reward and punishment. Results suggest that Ritalin may improve the ability of ADHD children to withhold inappropriate responding by dampening their response to reward cues and, possibly, making…

Used national longitudinal data to examine parent-child relationships before and after divorce. Parental reports of relationship problems with children were significantly elevated as early as 12 years prior to divorce. Findings suggest that the quality of the parents' marriage has both direct and indirect long-term consequences for parent-child…

Reports on an evaluation of a parenting skills intervention specifically with children exhibiting ADHD characteristics. Results reveal a reduction in problem behavior scores of children perceived to have a high frequency of behaviors typical of ADHD. Findings are consistent with those of controlled investigations of the impact of behavioral family…

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…

Considers the playground as an informal educational setting for social learning. Discusses interactions that take place between children and playground behavior; describes books that deal with playground behavior; and includes creative class activities, including role playing, that address playground behavior. (LRW)

Explored fathers' specific contribution to their children's attachment representation at various ages. Found fathers' play sensitivity to be a better predictor of the child's long-term attachment representation than the early infant-father security of attachment. (Author)

A study monitored the behaviors of three students (ages 7-9) with autism in inclusionary settings relative to paraprofessional proximity and classroom activity. Results are presented for on-task behavior, in-seat behavior, self-stimulatory responses, and inappropriate vocalizations. Data are also presented for interactions initiated by…

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…

Studied the adjustment status associated with engagement in gender normative versus gender nonnormative aggression for boys and girls. Teacher and self-reports were used to assess internalizing and externalizing difficulties. Found that 9- to 12-year olds who engaged in gender nonnormative aggression were more maladjusted than children who engaged…

Examines urban public open spaces used by Pakistani children in Sheffield, United Kingdom. Results reveal that most children visit open spaces on a daily or weekly basis and that parks and playgrounds are preferred. Lists activities engaged in by the majority of children as well as reasons for not undertaking activities. (AIM)

While grieving is a process both children and adults experience, children do not grieve in straightforward ways. There is often a connection between feelings of loss and a child's misbehavior when those feelings are not processed. This article describes how to help children understand the concept of death and offers suggestions for helping them…