A multifaceted model to promote peer play was implemented with play groups including 3 children (ages 6-8) with autism, resulting in decreased isolate play and collateral gains in social play, and decreased stereotyped object play and collateral gains in functional object play. Advances in play behaviors were generalized and were accompanied by…

A group of high-risk transfer students in third through fifth grades participated in a school orientation program and received tutoring at school. A second group received additional tutoring at home. Both groups showed modest improvements in academic and social behavior. Combined tutoring at home and school was more effective for third graders…

A cross-national comparison of infant behavior in the Strange Situation was designed to determine whether preseparation episodes made any difference in attachment classifications and whether infant behavior before separation from mother was the same in different countries. Infants in different countries made similar primary appraisals of the…

A definition of social skills needed by individuals with mental retardation in employment settings is proposed. Three measurement approaches are discussed, involving the perceptions of others in work settings, the social goals and perceptions of the targeted individuals, and the performance of social behaviors in natural contexts. (JDD)

Parents of 20 children with autism and 14 children with mental retardation, with comparable cognitive developmental levels, completed the Preschool Social Behavior Checklist. Results revealed that autistic children exhibited deficits in imaginative play, peer play, and imitation skills compared to the other group, and that parents are capable of…

Uses long-term field research, interviews, questionnaires, and public records in upstate New York to link the risk of rural homelessness to poverty trends. Recommends broadened definition of rural homelessness to include those at risk. Suggests homeless programs apply themselves to rural situations. (TES)

This study of 55 elementary-level general, special, and remedial education teachers found no intergroup differences in perceptions of the amount or quality of assistance available for mainstreamed students with mild handicaps, or in perceived effectiveness or overall acceptability of eight instructional strategies and 11 social behavior…

Interviews 46 British children, ages 8 to 11, to test their understanding of showing off. Confirms prediction that younger childrens' understanding of motivation for showing off is based on psychological determinants and that 11-year-olds' understanding focuses on interpersonal determinants. Also discusses children's understanding of emotional…

Investigates second, fourth, and sixth graders' reasoning about interrelationships between parental authority, friendship, and sibling relations. Children's conceptions regarding legitimacy of and obedience to parental rules prohibiting friendship vary as a function of reasons given for rules. (Author/BB)

Three mentally retarded students (ages 9-12) who exhibited challenging behaviors to escape from academic demands and to receive social attention were taught alternative assistance-seeking and attention-getting phrases. Data indicated that the intervention reduced challenging behavior. The results transferred across settings, and were maintained 18…

Observations of 4-year-old Spanish-speaking Mexican Americans and English-speaking African Americans in Head Start revealed that, during free play, children were determined to exercise control over their involvement with others. Most significantly, Hispanic children were reluctant to enter into verbal play with English speakers and thus received…

This seven-year study investigated facets of preschoolers' activity choices and use of physical facilities, including the effects of specific play sites on social relationships. Results showed that group makeup, and gender can affect play choices, while relationships between physical environment and play were undetermined. Different patterns of…

Discusses the lack of substantial changes in education in the past, and describes three factors that could allow for substantial innovations: distance learning, collaborative learning and the use of technology, and changing teacher/student relationships. Also discusses informal learning, individual learning, social behavior, assignment of task,…

Describes assessment of children's social behavior using Social Skills Rating System (SSRS) and an item analysis protocol (IAP). Examines relationships among mother and father pairs, teacher SSRS ratings, and descriptions of kindergarten through 4th-grade students. Finds mothers' and fathers' SSRS frequency and importance ratings for their…

Building on Durkheim's (Emile) emphasis on the moral dimensions of social reality and using it to explore contemporary computer education, contends that many of his claims are justified. Argues that the college computer department has created a set of images, maxims, and operating assumptions that frames its curriculum, courses, and student…