Considers Blos' conceptualization of adolescence as the stage when a second process of separation-individuation takes place. Notes various handicapping conditions may force adolescent to stay closer to family and hence interfere with adolescent's separation-individuation. Suggests that nature of interference will vary depending on whether the…

Argues that there are significant ways in which neither Piaget nor his successors in developmental psychology have adequately described the child's mind and how it changes. Proposes alternative guidelines for research that aims more directly at identifying essential constituent features of the child's mental reality. (PCB)

Examines research in developmental psychology and science education that has attempted to assess the validity of Piaget's theory of formal thought and its relation to educational practice. Position papers (with little or no empirical support) are not included. (Author/JN)

Drawing on longitudinal followups of Head Start children, cross-cultural data from Denmark, and studies of gifted and talented persons, this article advises parents that out-of-home care need not be harmful to their children. However, a high-pressure academic program might have long-lasting negative effects. Cites 14 references. (MLH)

In 1981, the Missouri State Department of Education hired the authors to design a model parent education program to enrich children's learning experiences during the first three years. The program, whose availabilty is now mandatory in Missouri, grew out of the authors' research with above average preschoolers and other early childhood studies.…

Responds to two articles in this "Educational Leadership" issue by Richard Salzer and by Lorrie A. Shepard and Mary Lee Smith that criticize overtesting and preoccupation with developmental differences in kindergarten-age children. Defends physical, sensory, and developmental assessment to help identify children's areas of strength and weakness.…

Based on a 1983 presentation, this article characterizes the nature of play and delineates its fundamental functions. Relates an experiment showing how free play aided problem solving more than structured lessons in young children. Concludes with suggestions for facilitating play to aid intellectual growth. (JDH)

Relates six play-based teaching techniques used in an experimental Soviet primary school. Reviews the theoretical foundations of this approach, with particular emphasis on psychology. (JDH)

Reviews theoretical literature on the use of play in education. Notes the lack of consensus regarding the usefulness of play, including "activity methods" and games, but goes on to advocate a central role for a "pedagogy of play" in the modern school. Concludes by considering the need for teacher training. (JDH)

Tests two hypotheses concerning developmental change in the speed of cognitive processes: (1) age differences in processing time reflect changes that are specific to particular tasks, and (2) age differences in processing speed do not reflect task-specific change but are due instead to more general developmental change. (HOD)

Beery's Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration was individually administered to 193 school-age children. Four factors were obtained, indicating that the test does not measure a unitary dimension of perceptual-motor development, but rather four distinct levels or stages for the age range of children investigated. (Author/ABB)

Presents self organization theory, which explains change in human development and behavior and which views choices and changes as being created in a state of disequilibrium. Includes background in previous developmental theory and in systems theory and explains first- and second-order change within the theory. (Author/KS)

Compared physically disabled and able-bodied college students on Erickson's epigenetic stages of life-span development, and Maslow's motivational needs hierarchy of personality development. The groups were more similar than dissimilar in ego development and needs level. College students with disabilities may be a select population because of their…

Extends the available information base on intellectural aging by collecting self-report data from 100 psychologists between 45 and 64 years of age. Subjects rated changes in intellectual functions, related present changes with past expectations, and answered questions about health problems affecting intellectual functioning. The importance of…

Crib-talk between identical twin girls and diary records of their speech were examined. It was found that the subjects developed conventional syntax and vocabulary but adapted them in ways which appropriately expressed their twin status. (Author/SED)