Discusses the educational effects of social skills training on 14- to 16-year-old normal adolescents' social learning principles (social skills, self-esteem, well-being, and coping). Finds that the training was successful in several respects: (1) social anxiety decreased; (2) social activity increased; (3) self-esteem improved; and (4) used…

This study investigated differences in social skills among 203 institutionalized individuals (mean age 43) with severe and profound mental retardation grouped into those exhibiting self-injurious behavior, aggression, both behaviors, or neither behavior. Results indicated that individuals displaying maladaptive behaviors exhibited a restricted…

This study examined how Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale scores changed in individuals with autism as a function of age and initial IQ. Results revealed that subjects (N=440) improved with age in all domains. The rate of growth on Communication and Daily Living Skills sub-tests was related to initial IQ while rate of growth in Social Skills was…

Describes the basic tenets of social and emotional learning; discusses the emotional and social challenges that middle school children face; and provides suggestions for parents and teachers to help promote smooth sailing through these rocky middle school years. (SR)

Describes an exercise used successfully with a 5th- and 6th-grade classroom that helps students name their struggles and find common ground and even compassion. (SR)

Presents a call to action to all adults who impact the lives of students to make the time to pay attention to students, encourage their strengths, promote their learning, and model considerate and pro-social behavior--to notice them and talk to them. (SR)

Reports on an analysis of the evidence of politeness in Japanese English-as-a-Second-Language high school textbooks. Analysis reveals that the textbooks are not exposing learners to important aspects of linguistic politeness in English. Ways that the teaching of politeness might be facilitated are considered. (Author/VWL)

Observed 56 preschool children during free play to record occurrences of four types of affect: moderate and strong positive affect, anger, and distress. Also collected teacher ratings of social competence and peer sociometrics. Found that social competence and peer acceptance were associated with strong positive affect, whereas anger and distress…

Describes an Interpersonal Skills course given at Randallwood Middle School, in Warrensville Heights, Ohio, to teach conflict resolution. Describes the values approach of the course and its affect on students, highlighting teaching of the value, skills, and ethos of nonviolence. (JPB)

Teenagers need emotional stability and social proficiency. They need to be shown how to behave appropriately and have healthy, mature relationships. School schedules should be adjusted to promote healthy lifestyles. Administrators need to show teenagers how to think and act appropriately. (MLF)

Four children (ages 4-6) with autism were taught to use gestures in combination with oral communication. Intervention was introduced successively across three response categories that contained gestures representative of attention-directing/getting, affective, and descriptive behavior. Results indicated that all participants acquired this skill…

An itinerant special education teacher talks about her changing role in the development of social skills in young children with disabilities. A continuum of social skills interventions is explained and the importance of matching types of interventions to children and settings is stressed. The special challenges of the itinerant teacher role are…

Describes town of Burnt Island, Newfoundland, including its need for imaginative survival; explores the nature of imaginative thought, including benefits to the individual and to society; describes threats to imaginative teaching within town's restructured school; describes characteristics common to the work of Greenfield, Greene, and Habermas…

Suggests ways in which drama can be used to: explore issues that often give rise to aggression or violence; give space to articulate and respond to emotions; model and practice non-violent response to aggression; consider the consequences of one's actions; empower children to stand up to bullying; and channel energy into performance. (TJQ)

Reports on the effectiveness of a prejudice prevention intervention that was used among a culturally diverse group of students in Hawaii. Results indicate that teachers observed significant improvement in the students' cooperative social skills as a result of participating in the multicultural guidance activities. Discusses implications for…