This essay argues that the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) system does not appear to be related to emotion regulation processes in children, although individual differences in emotion processes related to negative emotion temperaments appear to be associated with individual differences in HPA reactivity among normally…

Videorecorded stimuli were used to assess social information processing patterns in 3 domains (peer group entry, response to provocation, and response to authority directive) in 259 first, second, and third graders. Teacher and peer ratings of behavior competence supported the hypothesis that children's behavioral competence is a function of…

Considers the bases of criticism of parent report as an index of their children's behavioral development and ways in which problems associated with parent report were addressed in the construction of the MacArthur Communicative Development Inventories (CDIs). Examines the nature of responses elicited from parents as they complete the CDIs. (BC)

Expanded the curriculum of an assertiveness training program. Found that boys and girls benefited similarly in the cognitive acquisition of assertiveness information from this program. Discusses results in terms of the difference between having stored symbolic information regarding assertive responses and in recognizing appropriate contexts for…

Examines how aggressive play such as superhero play meets children's needs for physical, social, and psychological power. Recommends facilitating this type of play by preparing the environment, setting clear limits for safety, bringing the characters and stories into daily learning activities, and teaching children peaceable ways to resolve…

Argues that teachers can either completely prohibit aggressive play in school, which is often difficult, or allow children to channel their aggression into certain types of aggressive play. Examines how increasing violence among youth questions previous assumptions about the implications of violent play. (MDM)

Examines the benefits of sand play for young children, focusing on areas of cognitive, physical, communicative, creative and social-emotional development. Also discusses the role of the teacher in encouraging children's natural curiosity and exploration with sand play, noting that teachers should observe and interact with children during play in…

Investigated the role of classroom characteristics and preschool children's complex interactions with teachers, objects and peers. Found that complex interactions with objects were most probable in dramatic play and in art activities with the teacher present. Complex peer interactions were rare, but complex teacher interactions were probable in…

Notes children with movement difficulties do not receive neat diagnostic classification, as they have normal intelligence and minimal neurological signs. Details a study based on interviews of 11 parents of children with movement difficulties that revealed that parent involvement and knowledge is critical to acquiring professional attention.…

Assessed sleep patterns, sleep disruptions, and sleepiness of second-, fourth-, and sixth-graders. Found that older children had more delayed sleep onset times and increased reported daytime sleepiness than younger; girls spent more time in sleep than boys and had increased percentage of motionless sleep; and 18 percent of children had fragmented…

A survey of 28 sexual abuse experts, 36 therapists involved in sexual abuse training, 210 medical students attending a human sexuality program, and 35 group facilitators of the human sexuality program, found role and gender influenced beliefs about normal and abnormal childhood sexual behavior. (Author/CR)

Surveyed state preschool centers in North Queensland, Australia to identify behaviors involved in antisocial play and the range of strategies used to deal with disruptive play. Findings highlighted the practice of keeping center rules and guidelines in public view, and the need for diversity and flexibility in access to and deployment of…

Examined relationships between adjustment and academic achievement and effects of sociocultural background on parental expectations for primary school students in Italy. Found a significant relationship between adjustment and achievement. Parents were more willing than teachers to excuse poor adjustment or behavior in a high-achieving child.…

Investigates archival data of African American and Caucasian families referred for treatment of disruptive behavior problems. Following completion of pretreatment assessments, subjects and their parents received treatment using Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). No significant differences between groups were found on the pretreatment…

Examined differences in children's spontaneous use of emotion vocabulary during peer interactions and explored these differences in relation to children's likability as assessed by peers. Found that with increasing age, emotion vocabulary became more differentiated and complex, and children who used a larger number of emotion words were more liked…