Noting the important role that parents can play in preparing their child to learn to read, the Read, Educate and Develop Youth (READY) Reading Plan for Michigan provides kits to parents of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. The kits contain suggestions for age-appropriate activities parents can do with their children to help them learn. In…

Discusses alternative perspectives on nature of knowledge and psychological development, relating these to science instruction. Indicates that significant learning occurs if facts have personal relevance, suggesting that a cultural transmission approach to teaching/knowledge dominates science education which neglects the role of students' personal…

Investigates the linguistic and cognitive aspects of the mastery of the time conjunctions "before" and "after" by young children. (EKN)

Working toward a definition of a developmental model, evaluated how children (N=385) perceive their natural environment by coding their responses to words "Nature is" presented to them on a piece of paper. Results are discussed in terms of age/grade levels corresponding to characteristics of literalism, organization, and moralism. (JN)

Summarizes four stages in the development of causality obtained from interviews with Filipino children (N=1,228), reporting how they responded to questions and effect of grade/age levels on their characteristic responses. Includes a fifth stage, a logical analysis of what would be required of an adolescent trying to understand the sciences.…

Considers an aspect of children's thinking and learning: the set of beliefs or expectations they hold about the way natural phenomena occur and how they affect the sense pupils make of experiences we give them in science classes. Implications for instruction are addressed. (Author/SK)

The relative effects of cooperative, competitive, and individualistic goal structures were compared on achievement and the acquisition of high-level cognitive reasoning strategies. Results indicate that cooperative interaction, promoted higher achievement and the discovery of superior cognitive reasoning strategies. (Author/GK)

Examines methods by which test researchers and practitioners might respond to social and educational demands. Reports on the research which examines human cognition and development. Suggests that understanding how these abilities are acquired can facilitate their acquisition. Proposes a research agenda to redress social problems concerning testing…

Identifies and discusses key counseling issues surrounding pregnant younger teens (under age 15). Urges sex education programs for young teens be established. Suggests other strategies which include involving the girl's sexual partner in counseling and increasing community awareness and involvement. (JAC)

Thirty-four 5- to 11-year-old children, classified as concrete or preoperational on a conservation task, were asked questions during individual interviews about food and snacks, the changes food undergoes, and the effects of food on their bodies. Implications for nutrition curriculum and instruction based on the findings are discussed. (DS)

A study of adolescents in Hong Kong suggested that parents' behavior toward their children did affect children's achievement in reading and other verbal skills. A more democratic style of child rearing correlated with the development of good reading abilities. (MKM)

Reported is the production of an instructional methodology harmonizing with Piagetian theory and enabling teenage students, including those initially mismatched to the task, to understand the mole, as revealed by their performances on a test of basic skills considered fundamental to that concept. (DS)

Small-group cooperative learning methods have improved achievement, low and high level cognitive learning, race relations and mutual student concern. Most of the research focuses on four approaches: Teams Games Tournament (DeVries), Student Teams Achievement Divisions (Slavin), Jigsaw (Aronson) and Small Group Teaching (Sharan). (Author/CP)

The future of liberal education is dictated by several needs: to rediscover man and the meaning of human life; to give meaning, purpose, and direction to our days; to reinvigorate our society and our world. Liberally educated students must learn to think, to express themselves, and to evaluate. (MLW)

Investigates whether an environmental program including an advance organizer component and a field experience results in an observable change in the environmental orientations of fifth- and sixth-grade students. Results show positive change. (HM)