Describes factor analysis of preschool children's play behavior, as measured by the Smilansky-Parten play matrix. Varimax rotation solution suggests three factors: Dramatic-Constructive Play, Solitary Behavior, and Functional-Constructive Play. Study suggests that these factors represent constructs of preschoolers' play. (Author/RWB)

Research conducted between 1975-85 on cognitive styles, cognitive development, cognitive strategies, and social and emotional factors associated with the academic setting was reviewed to determine differences between gifted and nongifted learners. Significant differences were found in all four areas. (Author/CB)

States that childrens' spatial conceptualization of maps progresses from topological to projective to Euclidean. Provides guidelines for conducting map activities with young children which take account of these and related factors. Recommends block play with verbalization for very young children, followed by mapping of familiar environments. (JDH)

Offers information on and examples of the Cognitive Research Trust (CoRT) Thinking Program, internationally the most widely used program for the teaching of thinking as part of the school curriculum. Describes various CoRT tools, including one in which students list the pluses, minuses, and interesting points about a given issue. (DMM)

Tests four hypotheses to separate the effect of schemes from drawing-specific influences on young children's drawings and examines whether copies and anticipatory drawings are influenced by schemes in the same manner. (HOD)

Addresses the need for educational drama to adjust to contemporary society. Examines the concept of drama as a "generic skill" and discusses the idea that drama underlies all aspects of existence, forming the basis of all learning and social interaction. Examines current research findings. (JD)

Among ways suggested for teaching problem solving strategies are to select problem situations appropriate to the learner and to encourage learning from errors. A problem solving process which can be used with young children includes the components of formulation; interpretation; generation; decision making; implementation; evaluation; and…

Results of studies of the effects of early childhood compensatory education programs indicate long-term benefits but not long-term cognitive gains. These findings may be explained by an interaction of the programs being studied at any early point in social change (rising tide) with a hypothesized intervening variable (cognitive effects). (DB)

Reports the results of two studies designed to investigate the presence of six cognitive levels of intellectual performance as predicted by Bloom's taxonomy. Results of both experiments revealed a performance dichotomy with synthesis and evaluation forming the superior category. Includes examples of the text items used and draws implications for…

The relationship of cognitive development to learning science is considered. Views of thinking from both a psychological and a scientific standpoint are compared in order to shed light on current science teaching practice. Metacognition and problem solving are discussed. (Author/MT)

Investigates whether 6- to 12-month-old infants' exposure to the successful search behavior of a sibling in two object-concept tasks would enhance infants' subsequent performance on these tasks. (HOD)

To investigate the relationship of children's beliefs about sex differences to their own age and gender, 427 children (seven, 10, and 15 year olds) were asked to explain their beliefs. Younger children's responses displayed a biological orientation, and older children's a societal orientation, but no evidence supported a hypothesized third stage…

Outlines one teacher's questioning of the understanding of computational processes by her students in mathematics class. Points out the importance of teaching the context of meaning and its application in mathematics. (MD)

Review of existing research on the general cognitive outcomes of Logo training concludes there is little data-based or empirical evidence on the effects of teaching Logo to children. It is suggested that current research on Logo should be more directly tied to outcomes related to learning a structured computer language. (MBR)

Describes a study that assessed the contribution of schooling to cognitive development by comparing the cognitive development for high school graduates and dropouts over a two-year period. Reports that the cognitive skills of students who stay in school improve more than those of dropouts and that dropping out harms disadvantaged students most.…