Suggests ways of improving human relationships and values through the medium of play and games for children. Activities can be structured so participants can practice and perfect life and love enhancing skills. Interventions based on parent education, prosocial television programing and screening of teachers and coaches are suggested. (JAC)

Evaluates the effectiveness of social skills training methods specifically designed to enhance children's peer relationships. Discusses "coaching" methods on the basis of a small scale survey of social skills training procedures in use at social service agencies, guidance centers, hospitals, and clinical settings. (Author/AOS)

Seven personality traits are examined as they relate to the speed of English acquisition among 13 children. Contrary to previous conclusions, faster learners did not seek to befriend or identify more with English-speaking children than slow learners, but were more talkative, responsive, and gregarious. Implications are discussed. (MSE)

To evaluate the effectiveness of its programs for the visually impaired, the Kansas State Department of Education analyzed data for 308 students' academic achievement, proficiency in mobility, social integration, participation in regular education and other programs, and satisfaction. (Author/MC)

Choice of content, teaching methods, and program coordination are discussed. The role of the program coordinator is seen as seeking out relevant resources and ensuring that they are used rather than glossed over. (MSE)

Development of a course designed to help dental students integrate interpersonal and clinical skills to help periodontal patients accept and adhere to long-term self-care regimens is described. An algorithm illustrates to students the process of plaque control and the patient's role. (MSE)

Describes an after-school program which provides academic remediation, socialization, recreation, group therapy, meal preparation and field trips for boys 10-17 with behavior problems. A summer day camp provides prevocational activities. The program's effectivness is characterized by high attendance and testimonials from parents and teachers. (JAC)

Argues that establishing the purpose of observed inappropriate social behavior could help in understanding reciprocal relationships. Suggests inappropriate behavior can occur because an unpopular child adopts an interpersonal strategy to cope with rejection. Studies show that differential deficiencies in social skills are associated with the type…

Describes a group training program for teaching social skills to juveniles on probation. The program teaches eight skills: giving positive feedback, giving negative feedback, accepting negative feedback, resisting peer pressure, problem-solving, negotiation, following instructions, and conversation. An eight-month follow-up showed good retention…

Studied moral development as a nonadditive, interactive function of both recognized cognitive abilities and interpersonal security. Data showed preservice teachers (N=139) had a mean moral development score at about the national norm. Suggests constraints placed on moral thought by one's prepotent conative level should be considered in curricular…

Presents facts, literature, and organization sources on the sexual functioning of spinal-cord-injured persons. Suggests using this information in counseling situations. Urges counselors to help their clients reach sexual maturity by speaking frankly about sexuality and expressing affection, and by accepting their sexual behavior as normal. (JAC)

Studied high-school sophmores, who through group training, were given contraceptive information, steps for solving problems, and practice in communicating decisions about sexual behavior. Compared with untrained, control-condition teenagers, trained teenagers had more positive postest scores on measures of sexual knowledge, interpersonal problem…

Supports the proposition that orthopedically handicapped children are deficient in communication skills development. Increased contact with peers, through integrated classrooms, overcomes this deficiency to a certain degree. None of the children--handicapped or not, in integrated or in segregated classes--seem able to adapt their communication…