A study qualitatively analyzed the recollections of nine women concerning their early language and literacy development as it related to the family, cultural, school, and community experiences and contexts. Subjects were enrolled in a graduate education seminar in language development, ranged in age from 24 to 48 years, and had diverse…

This pamphlet discusses the influence parents have on the attitudes of their daughters toward mathematics and ways parents can nurture math talent. Recommendations for parents include: (1) at-home activities that involve hands-on problem solving, such as blocks and tinker toys; (2) engage in daily math routines such as determining the appropriate…

This study identified predictors of academic performance in college algebra for postdevelopmental students at a predominantly black college. Questionnaires were randomly distributed to 175 students who were enrolled in college Algebra I and II. The sample included 142 students (classified as developmental on college entry by their own reports) who…

This book explores the conceptual and historical bases for examining creativity, cognitive functioning and creativity, cultural influences on creativity, research methodologies for examining creativity, assessment of creativity, and effectiveness of major creativity training models. Chapters include: (1) "Issues in Studying Creativity in Youth"…

Contains four articles exploring the relationship between aging and family life and myths about treatment of the aged. Offers psychological perspectives of autonomy and interdependence in the adult family, while examining research needs of the frail elderly and demonstrating the important role of intrafamily resource transfers. (RC)

Research on independent learning motivation conducted through in-depth interviews with correspondence students is compared with what is known about the motivation and behavior of people who pursue leisure interests independently: deciding what to study, what resources are needed, and when the learning objectives have been achieved. (MSE)

This study compared causal perceptions of teachers and pupils regarding pupils' success or failure on a test. Teachers attributed success to themselves, to home conditions, and to effort on the part of the student. They attributed failure to the pupils' lack of preparation, low ability, and test difficulty. The perceptions of the pupils were…

Among 41 Mexican immigrant women interviewed soon after giving birth, everyday pregnancy care (often family-influenced) guided maternal behaviors in pregnancy and positively affected birth weight. Interviewees had positive birth outcomes despite low incomes, low education levels, and lack of access to medical care. Discusses implications for…

To identify factors which facilitate or hinder personal career advancement, 162 Korean graduates from the most prestigious Korean girls' high school were studied. Gifted girls who achieved in their professional lives were determined to advance in their careers and had aspirations for career development which were supported by their families.…

Identifies those aspects of family support that have the most influence on students' learning in mathematics and science. Examines the relationship of the mother's support and participation to the eighth-grade minority child's score on standardized tests. Contains 36 references. (DDR)

This follow-up of the effects of the national Bookstart pilot study compared samples of urban families through structured interviews. It found that two years later those families whose babies had been introduced to books in the original experiment gave more priority to looking at books, buying books as presents, and book sharing between parents…

Used questionnaires and Experience Sampling Method (i.e., electronic pagers) to investigate relationships between talented adolescents' family contexts and school activity experiences. Found link between family support and feelings of spontaneous interest and between family challenge and goal-related interests. Revealed that combination of these…

Reviews the resilience of children and youth who thrive in spite of challenging circumstances and develop into healthy adults. Strategies to enhance individual, family, school, and community protective factors are highlighted. (GR)

Even improved school systems cannot fully prepare children for the challenges ahead, so families must become partners in education. Parents must be lifelong teachers: effective parents must model appropriate behaviors and attitudes, provide guidance, communicate love, teach responsibility, create community, nurture spiritual values, and…

Interviews with 33 teenagers from three small rural Midwest towns examined how they saw themselves, their families, friends, communities, and futures. Interview excerpts illustrate ambivalence about rural experiences, desire to move elsewhere, and Hispanic students' experiences with racism, but also convey positive attitudes about family, friends,…