A review of the research on developing children's referential communication ability reveals two approaches: the role-taking approach and the task-analytic approach. In the role-taking approach, researchers attempt to improve children's communication accuracy by training them to be more sensitive to listener needs. In the task-analytic approach,…

Three experiments involving 345 children aged 5-6, 7-8, and 12-13 were performed to investigate the development of children's motives to help. Two experimental paradigms were developed to determine children's motives for helping behavior in a specific behavioral context. In the first paradigm, situations were created in which children had the…

Reactions to the papers read at the Pittsburgh conference on the theory and practice of beginning reading (April 1976) are provided in this document, with particular attention to the way that the content of those papers relates to compensatory education issues. The problem areas under which the discussion is organized are as follows: the search…

A distinction is made in the meaning of schooling and learning, and characteristics that define lifelong learning and ideas that are not consistent with the concept of lifelong learning are presented. Characteristics of lifelong learners include being goal-directed, assuming increasing responsibility for being self-directed, possessing the skills…

There are many different hypotheses concerning the focus for continuing education for foreign language teachers and a range of training patterns are utilized. Many training programs emphasize graduate education as the basis for the continuing education of foreign language teachers. Teacher centers, teacher development centers, staff development…

This paper discusses Piagetian theory on children's cognitive development and its relevance to an early childhood science program. Children, at different stages of their development, exhibit characteristics of behavior or of thinking which may or may not affect how and what they learn in the classroom. It is suggested that subject-matter content,…

This paper discusses moral development and illustrates ways that it can be fostered in children both in the home and in the classroom. Moral education is discussed in terms of four basic questions: (1) Is there a need for it? (2) If so, is it the job of the schools to teach morality? (3) What is moral development? and (4) If fostering moral…

The efficacy of small group instructional activities dealing with transitive inference, conservation, and class inclusion of length was investigated in a sample of kindergarten (N=44) and first grade (N=45) children (mean ages of 5 years, 7 months and 6 years, 7 months respectively). The two instructional sessions (10 to 15 minutes each) employed…

The prelinguistic child's attempts at communication cannot be viewed as rudimentary language. More than cataloguing overt acts, we need to understand the functional character of both language and non-language communication capabilities, and in particular the maturational stages of the internal communication systems that produce overt behavior in…

Reports on a study designed to determine the effectiveness of two video programs with an audience of varied ages, grade levels, and developmental levels. Indicates that a significant difference was found between concrete, transitional, and formal operational students on pretest scores and developmental levels and results on the posttest. (RT)

Recent research with first year college students indicated that emotional closeness to parents was associated with social and intellectual competence during the leaving home period. Secure parental attachment fostered self-confidence, willingness to explore the environment, and the development of social skills. Students describing themselves as…

Research on the cognitive development of play skills in young handicapped children is reviewed, focusing on two Piagetian styles of play--sensorimotor (exploratory) and symbolic (pretend and dramatic). The review emphasizes developmental patterns, areas of deficit, and implications for intervention in various handicapped groups. (Author/JDD)

Proposes that teachers should examine the elements of mathematical understandings that precede conservation and one-to-one correspondence and tailor classroom instruction to benefit both conserving and nonconserving students. (PK)

Examines students' difficulties in reading literature and suggests methods for helping them to develop and improve skills necessary for the mature reading of literature. (MM)

Designed as a resource and as a guide for professionals who work with children and their families, this book explores the cathartic effect of humor on children, and looks at humor as an infusion of energy that promotes healthy growth, development, and adjustment in children of all ages. The chapters are as follows: (1) "Introduction: A Global…