Describes a child discipline seminar designed for parents who are unaware of alternatives to corporeal punishment. Session topics include: (1) the definition of discipline; (2) major theories of child development; (3) parenting styles and their behavior outcomes in children; (4) common discipline techniques; (5) a model for handling negative…

Assessed the extent to which preferential personal attraction was associated with behavioral similarity among newly acquainted children. Found that "discriminating" children were more behaviorally similar to preferred playmates than nonpreferred playmates, both in terms of cognitive play style and social participation. (AA)

Examined the hypothesis that young children's social behavior in stable groups of peers becomes relationship specific to some extent with increasing group socialization and predicts important developmental outcomes beyond these relationships, such as social self-esteem in middle childhood when children attend different peer groups. The hypothesis…

This article proposes methods for asking analytic and systemic questions and using quantitative and qualitative data for documenting behavior change in young children receiving special education services. Suggestions are provided for developing data collection protocols that are valid but that are also manageable in practice. (Author/DB)

Presents examples from children's literature that illustrate types of special "thinking/dream spots." Suggests the following activities: creating a dream place in the library media center, describing or drawing a dream spot, designing a meditation room, making a sculpture garden, and writing monologs. (AEF)

Reviews research examining the predictive aspects of childhood sex-typed behavior for sexual orientation. Prospective studies suggest that childhood cross-typed behavior is strongly predictive of adult homosexual orientation for men, whereas retrospective studies are useful in determining how many homosexual individuals displayed cross-sex…

To measure the influence of teacher inservice training on behavior management techniques, a study investigated the behavior management techniques of both teachers and parents of preschool children, especially preschoolers with behavior problems. Findings indicated that parents are less punitive than teachers who have higher expectations, even…

Examines the problem of biting in group child care, especially among toddlers. Discusses reasons for the behavior such as teething, impulsiveness and lack of self control, excitement and overstimulation, and frustration. Offers advice for child caregivers when biting occurs in their program. (TJQ)

Ensuring healthy and happy classrooms requires being committed to students and acting in ways worthy of their respect; helping children improve their self-esteem; employing consistency, structure, and routine where appropriate; being clear and honest about expectations; offering students choices; allowing opportunities for all types of questions;…

Examined the validity of the parent and child scales of the French version of the Parenting Stress Index (PSI). Results suggest the two main factors of the PSI represent valid and relatively independent sources of information, and that the PSI may be particularly useful in assessing combinations of stressors, which appear to be harmful for the…

Analyzes how young boys adopt a definition of masculinity as avoiding whatever is done by girls, and explains the notion of "fighting boys" behavior and how this understanding of masculinity leads to scorn and rejection towards girls as a group. Teachers are encouraged to teach that "fighting boys" behavior is not equated with classroom or…

In a year-long participant observation study of remediative action following child injury, 61 children ages 8 and 9 and their mothers wrote records and, in biweekly interviews, reported on more than 1,000 minor injuries. Found that remediative action was related to type of child activity and to mother's affect and beliefs. (MDM)

Two studies had parents describe the characteristics of the most prosocial two- and five-year olds they knew and rate the relative importance of each attribute in defining a child as prosocial. Results indicated more similarities than differences between the two age groups and suggested that research has underrepresented the rich repertoire of…

Studied whether behavioral styles at age 3 are linked to personality traits at age 18 after identifying 5 temperament groups (undercontrolled, inhibited, confident, reserved, and well-adjusted). Results pointed to continuities across time. (DR)

Assessed child behavior, maternal depression, and family socioeconomic status and observed mother-child interactions for 376 first graders and their mothers. Found that the quality of mother-child interactions mediated the relationship between maternal depression and child behavior problems for boys, girls, and Caucasians but not for African…