The work of Jean Piaget stresses the point that intellectual functioning and growth from one stage of cognitive development to the next depends more on the quality of one's experience than on exposure to factual knowledge. Piaget's theoretical model and its implications and applications for the classroom teacher are reviewed. (Editor/RK)

Children's understanding of Euclidian space was investigated using three Piaget-type tasks to examine the ability of children to quantitatively locate a point in one, two, and three dimensions. Among the findings were that a disagreement exists between Piaget's data and the results of this study. (BT)

The written compositions of 11-year-olds in Great Britain's National Child Development Study were analyzed using the T-unit length as a measure of syntactic maturity and composition length as a measure of productivity. Results are discussed in relation to cognitive and linguistic development. (Author/RM)

This study examined the hypothesis that perceptual errors on a task requiring subjects to take different viewpoints could be explained in terms of response bias. Results were consistent with response bias hypothesis: making an egocentric error is different from behaving in an egocentric manner. (Author/SB)

This paper discusses ways to use worked examples in teaching mathematics. It is argued that neither investigative teaching such as discovery learning nor lecturing and starting from the abstract are helpful as they are based on emotive associations with general labels rather than precise details of pedagogic strategies. (KHR)

Consider the following important questions: Should values be transmitted or developed? As children grow up, what, if anything, should change in values acquisition? How important are locus of control issues in moral development? and Why might process versus product elements be crucial in the development of values? One key element missing in the…

This book not only sheds lights on the problems inhibiting art education, but also demonstrates how art contributes to the overall development of the mind. Delineating how the development of artistic interests and ability is an important aspect of cognition and learning, the book aims to show how art helps individuals construct cultural meaning, a…

Noting that there is a growing body of evidence supporting the many connections between cognitive competence and high-quality pretend play, this article defines the cluster of concepts related to pretend play and cognition, and briefly synthesizes the latest research on the role of such play in children's cognitive, social, and academic…

This two-volume reference presents the latest findings on the mental, emotional, and physical life of the human infant. The entries present thorough and current assessments of infancy issues as well as brief definitions and descriptions of scientific, technological, and psychological terms. Coverage includes discussion of the critical issues,…

This study examined the components of a leadership training program for principals and assistant principals designed to help them promote success for all children, particularly low-performing and diverse students. Qualitative research methods were used to examine the first year of the 2-year Coaching Principals Program. The program, rooted in…

The National Scientific Council on the Developing Child was founded to close the gap between what we know and what we do to promote the healthy development of young children. When scientific knowledge is ignored rather than used to inform early childhood policy and practices, our children pay a very high price. Council Chair Jack P. Shonkoff,…

Designed for use in the home and in professional child-care settings, this program presents developmentally appropriate activities to support growth and development of infants from birth to 1 year. Each of the six 2-month long units contains 24 sets of activities called Activity Plans, with the suggestion to use three activity plans per week. Each…

Science and mathematics reform standards call for inquiry teaching methods that enable students to contribute their own ideas and to pursue their own investigations. Inquiry involves activities and skills that focus on the active search for knowledge of understanding to satisfy a curiosity. This publication is intended to furnish K-12 teachers…

This newsletter issue provides an overview of the book, "Critical Thinking about Critical Periods," which discusses the neural and behavioral sciences that undergird the notion of "windows of opportunity" in early brain development. The issue presents the book's table of contents; the major sections are: (1) "Critical…