The physical education curriculum offers children an alternative means of communication. It also has the potential to give children a sense of personal worth and control which establishes a basic foundation for self development. (JN)

The University of Massachusetts has designed a preschool laboratory gym program for 2 1/2 - 5 year olds to encourage the development of a wide range of abilities, specifically, to provide practice in climbing, balancing, hanging, jumping, running, sliding, swinging, and ball handling. (JMF)

Reviews significant recent research and information related to the beginning period of human life, and specifically discusses the developing fetus and infant, and the surrounding environment in which the infant is born and reared. Suggestions for prevention of mental-health problems are offered. (Author/DB)

Discusses the methods and results of a nutritional assessment involving 64 noninstitutionalized children (ages 2-19 years) with various types of handicapping conditions. It is explained that, in general, children were smaller in weight and height than average and frequently consumed unbalanced diets. (Author/PHR)

Describes how teachers and student architects planned an innovative outdoor learning area for trainable mentally handicapped and preschool multiply-handicapped children. (BF/JH)

Examined effects of early physical maturation and accelerated pubertal changes on symptoms of major depression among 639 African American adolescents. Found that for girls, early maturation was consistently associated with elevated levels of depressive symptoms. For boys, early maturers showed elevated depression only at age 11, with symptoms…

Highlights the importance of activities to build gross motor skills and provides hints for encouraging such activities. Specific areas of activities presented are: (1) running and jumping; (2) music games; (3) action games; (4) races; (5) bed sheets or parachutes; (6) hula hoops; (7) balls; (8) batting; (9) balance; and (10) creative movement. (SD)

Examines the relations between physical maturation and youths' perceptions of their family context and the associated daily stresses experienced. Results extend the literature on physical development and urban African American populations. Findings suggest that adolescent-perceived hassles are indications of parental monitoring and more adaptive…

Interviews with 16 Taiwanese mothers of babies with Down syndrome found the mothers believed cognitive development was the most important benefit from parent-child interaction. Compared to other mothers, they placed relatively more emphasis on cognitive and physical benefits and outcomes of parent-child interactions than on social and academic…

Draws on current research to advocate the importance of children's need for physical activity and the benefits of teaming literature with movement and dramatic play. Focuses on: (1) brain research on movement; (2) poems and stories that highlight movement; and (3) movement and imagination. Contains 22 references and lists 39 children's books. (SD)

The article looks at the 1979 physical development program for cadets at West Point's U.S. Military Academy, noting adjustments made to the physical education program for women and comparing physical abilities of female cadets in 1979 and 1989. Standards are adjusted as fitness test scores improve. (SM)

Addresses importance of planned motor skill development, providing specific guidelines for adults working with three-, four-, and five-year olds. Describes the influence of motor development on cognitive, language, emotional, and social development. Suggests using verbal feedback, visual assistance, and demonstration for teaching motor skills.…

This study collected data on the physical development, attendance, and school performance effects of four types of school lighting on elementary students over a two-year period. Results indicated that regular exposure to the lights had important nonvisual effects on students. Full-spectrum fluorescent lamps with ultraviolet supplements were found…

A study of 16 children (ages 4 and 7 years) and 8 young adults used an "Optotrak" system to study patterning and stability of speech movements in developing speech motor systems. Results indicate that nonlinear and nonuniform changes occur in components of the speech motor system during development. (Author/CR)

The psychological experience of ejaculation was examined for 188 Nigerian adolescent boys to determine emotional reactions, feelings of preparedness, sources of preexperience information, and the extent of peer discussion after the experience. The experience was not perceived negatively, and boys usually told their friends. Most suppliers of…