Contains the following articles to help teachers support children's imagination: (1) "Time, Trust, and Tools: Opening Doors to Imagination for All Children" (Kirsten Haugen); (2) "The Connection between Play and Character" (David Elkind); (3) "Magnets Can Dance and Vanilla Smells Warm" (Alison Lutton); and (4)…

Offers suggestions for parents in dealing with a young child's anger when it manifests itself as hitting. Suggestions focus on impulse control and include the following: (1) describe appropriate behavior; (2) show and teach self-control; (3) uncover reasons for anger; (4) prevent out-of-control behavior; (5) calming techniques; (6) and controls…

Discusses teachers' sensitivity in the context of young children's peer conflicts. Explains that young children need to experience their own actions as logical and sound and that they co-construct logic-in-action (procedural knowledge) long before they can verbalize their logic. Maintains that teachers who do not respect children's logic often…

Examined preschoolers' peer acceptance, aggression, and peer competence. Found that children with at least one mutual friend were better liked by peers and were rated by teachers as being more competent than children with no mutual friend. Children with at least one mutual friend were better liked by peers a year later than children with no mutual…

Examined predictive relations between infant assessments and behavior problems at age 7 in a low-income sample. Found that disorganized infant attachment behavior and below average mental development at 18 months were associated with externalizing behavior at 7 years. Avoidant infant attachment behavior was associated with later internalizing…

Discusses how we become gendered through our culture and provides a classroom analysis of a teacher working with boys to get them to see themselves as literate in ways that are usually eschewed by boys who achieve hegemonic masculinity. Concludes with a definition of critical literacy that is considered relevant to the teaching of literacies to…

The purposes of this article are to present the substantive results of anatomically detailed (A/D) doll studies, to critically evaluate the methodology used in A/D doll research, and to suggest directions for future research. This review generally shows that play with A/D dolls is not traumatizing to children. (LSR)

Examines whether sexually abused children can benefit from learning knowledge and skills thought to assist in preventing or escaping sexual abuse. A personal safety program was taught to 13 previously abused children and 13 children with no abuse history. After program participation, both groups of children (ages 3-7) demonstrated significant…

Reviews what is known about children's conceptions of death, how children grieve, and relevant research. Presents clinicians' guidelines on such issues as explaining death to children, attending funerals, and treating bereaved youths and their families. Outlines a death education program which incorporates developmental and theoretical principles…

Examined whether features of preschool children's mutual friendships were associated with prosocial and aggressive behavior. Teacher reports of friendship features showed moderate interrater reliability and were associated with teacher reports of aggression and prosocial behavior, and with peer reports of acceptance and rejection. Friendship…

This article explores the idea of toddler independence from a Montessori perspective. Integrated with increasing competence in daily living, independence is defined in terms of toileting, dressing and undressing, eating and food preparation, plant and animal care, clothes washing, sweeping, gardening, and putting oneself to sleep. (Author/KB)

Compared boys' and girls' use of interference competition during game play when resources were scarce or plentiful, among children from kindergarten or fourth grade. Found that fourth-grade girls used less interference competition when resources were plentiful, while their male peers and kindergartners of both sexes used interference competition…

Construct validity of the Child Observation Record (COR) was examined with low-income urban preschoolers in two samples. Analyses yielded a three-dimensional structure: cognitive skills, social engagement, and coordinated movement. Cross-validation of this structure across gender and ethnic groups found evidence of validity for social engagement…

Presents four articles on children's anger in preschool, chronic parental anger, and the teacher's role in identifying and defusing anger: (1) "'I'm bery, bery cwoss!' Understanding Children's Anger" (Marie D. Hammer); (2) "Parental Anger: Causes, Triggers, and Strategies To Help" (Roberta J. Wilburn); (3) "The Language of Anger: The Words that…

Explores challenges faced by caregivers working with school-age children. Suggests guidance techniques based on understanding of children's emotional, social, physical, and intellectual characteristics. Focuses on appropriate use of environment, group management and problem solving, and development of self-discipline. (BAC)