This study evaluated the effectiveness of point-of-view video modeling in teaching selected toy-play skills to two preschoolers with autism. This type of modeling involved the experimenters carrying or holding the video camera at eye level (from the child's perspective) and without recording models (persons]) to show the environment as a child…

Ethnic identity development was assessed in the context of ego development in 12- to 15-year-old students from a Southeastern American Indian community. Self-protective was the modal level and was characterized by awareness of ethnic group membership but little exploration or self-reflection. Impulsive adolescents had the least developed ethnic…

This study represents a developmentally informed, empirically validated examination of competence across multiple domains (Social, Cognitive, Emotional well-being), gender and age (early childhood, middle childhood, early adolescence, middle adolescence). Competence indicators were created and the structure of these domains was tested using…

This article presents the findings of a research initiative which explored Greek teachers' perceptions and understandings on what constitutes social and emotional competencies and how these competencies can best be enhanced within the classroom. In-depth interviews were conducted with 24 elementary school teachers in two different geographical…

In this article, the author discusses the importance of teacher recommendations for students who exhibit extreme shyness during college interviews. Admission committees at some colleges are apparently questioning the propensity to favor students who evidence leadership, and who are naturally outgoing, in seeking to balance and diversify the…

This article explores the impact of integrating literacy and social studies instruction through Readers Theatre and shadow puppetry. During an inquiry-based social studies unit on national symbols, second graders created shadow-puppet performances. During the literacy block students worked in small groups to research a topic, develop a script,…

This study explored elementary teachers' perceptions of the importance of social skills, as well as the stability of these perceptions over time. Importance ratings on the Social Skills Rating System (SSRS; Gresham & Elliott, 1990) were obtained from 50 elementary teachers (Grades 1-6) across six elementary schools. Results indicated that…

This study involved the replication of previously reported research examining a school counselor-led intervention using a structured group counseling approach aimed at improving the academic and social competence of elementary and middle school students. The goal of this replication was to strengthen support for the intervention while contributing…

Research has shown that traumatic stress has negative effects on overall health and well-being. Traumatic exposure has been linked to higher rates of psychological and physical health problems. Writing about trauma or stress has been shown to improve health and reduce stress, but can negatively affect mood. The purpose of this study was to examine…

This work examines associations between closeness and conflict in teacher-child relationships and children's social and academic skills in first grade in a sample of 490 children. Assessments of teacher-child relationships were obtained in preschool, kindergarten, and first grade. Results demonstrate moderate correlations among teachers' ratings…

This study tested the independent and interactive influences of classroom (concentrations of peer prosocial behaviors and victimization), family (household moves, mothers' education), and school (proportion of students receiving income assistance) ecologies on changes in children's social competence (e.g., interpersonal skills, leadership…

This paper is concerned with the degree to which the graduate skills required by industry are developed in Australian universities. Despite acknowledgement of the need to increase the graduate skills of students, it would seem that the stated intentions of Australian universities in this respect do not yet meet the expectations of industry. The…

Past research consistently indicates that poverty and economic hardship have negative consequences for children. Few studies, however, have examined whether these consequences persist into adulthood. This study addresses this gap by assessing whether economic resources in the family of origin have long-term effects on psychological well-being in…

The author examined the extent to which a Head Start-to-Public School Transition intervention promoted children's social competence following one year of participation. The sample comprised 337 children (127 intervention and 210 comparison) who were participants in a Head Start Public School Transition (HSPST) project and who had made the…

Leisure counselling is defined as the systematic exploitation of a client's past, existing or prospective hobbies, activities and interests for broad psychotherapeutic purposes. It functions as a powerful agent in the invigoration of a range of existing but inadequate coping skills, and can also act in an innovatory style when such key skills are…