Data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth on 2,342 children aged 6-7 and born between 1979 and 1984 suggest that children's behavior problems are related to current family and parental employment conditions and earlier maternal resources and vulnerabilities (early deviance, self-esteem in 1980, smoking during pregnancy, cognitive…

This study of the oral motor behaviors of seven toddlers (age 15 months) may be interpreted to indicate that: (1) mandibular coordination follows a developmental continuum from earlier emerging behaviors, such as chewing and sucking, through babbling, to speech, or (2) unique task demands give rise to distinct mandibular coordinative constraints…

Examined the effects of two forms of organization of pretend play on children's behavior in the cognitive and affective domains as observed in a mixed-age environment: teacher-directed frontal play, with all children involved, and child-directed small group play. Found a significant increase in cognitive domain behavior during child-directed group…

Three child psychology studies illustrate that although behavior can be shaped by rewards and punishments, children also learn through imitating adult role models. When parents combine control and warmth, children are more independent, responsible, and content than when either control or warmth is absent. Human behavior is influenced by context…

This study used archival data from an outpatient clinic to examine gender differences in young children exhibiting disruptive behavior disorders. Findings showed that males typically had higher scores than females on parent and teacher completed measures of child behavior disorders. Significantly more males than females had conduct disorders, and…

This study coded descriptions of disliked peers provided by U.S. and Indonesian 11- and 14-year-olds for references to physical, verbal, and three types of relational aggression. Found that physical aggression was mentioned more frequently by boys, adolescents, and Indonesians, with no significant differences in verbal aggression references. Girls…

Contains the following articles to help teachers support children's imagination: (1) "Time, Trust, and Tools: Opening Doors to Imagination for All Children" (Kirsten Haugen); (2) "The Connection between Play and Character" (David Elkind); (3) "Magnets Can Dance and Vanilla Smells Warm" (Alison Lutton); and (4)…

Offers suggestions for parents in dealing with a young child's anger when it manifests itself as hitting. Suggestions focus on impulse control and include the following: (1) describe appropriate behavior; (2) show and teach self-control; (3) uncover reasons for anger; (4) prevent out-of-control behavior; (5) calming techniques; (6) and controls…

Discusses teachers' sensitivity in the context of young children's peer conflicts. Explains that young children need to experience their own actions as logical and sound and that they co-construct logic-in-action (procedural knowledge) long before they can verbalize their logic. Maintains that teachers who do not respect children's logic often…

Examined preschoolers' peer acceptance, aggression, and peer competence. Found that children with at least one mutual friend were better liked by peers and were rated by teachers as being more competent than children with no mutual friend. Children with at least one mutual friend were better liked by peers a year later than children with no mutual…

Examined predictive relations between infant assessments and behavior problems at age 7 in a low-income sample. Found that disorganized infant attachment behavior and below average mental development at 18 months were associated with externalizing behavior at 7 years. Avoidant infant attachment behavior was associated with later internalizing…

Discusses how we become gendered through our culture and provides a classroom analysis of a teacher working with boys to get them to see themselves as literate in ways that are usually eschewed by boys who achieve hegemonic masculinity. Concludes with a definition of critical literacy that is considered relevant to the teaching of literacies to…

The purposes of this article are to present the substantive results of anatomically detailed (A/D) doll studies, to critically evaluate the methodology used in A/D doll research, and to suggest directions for future research. This review generally shows that play with A/D dolls is not traumatizing to children. (LSR)

Examines whether sexually abused children can benefit from learning knowledge and skills thought to assist in preventing or escaping sexual abuse. A personal safety program was taught to 13 previously abused children and 13 children with no abuse history. After program participation, both groups of children (ages 3-7) demonstrated significant…

Reviews what is known about children's conceptions of death, how children grieve, and relevant research. Presents clinicians' guidelines on such issues as explaining death to children, attending funerals, and treating bereaved youths and their families. Outlines a death education program which incorporates developmental and theoretical principles…