School principals face personal challenges as a result of the effect their job has on their health. This paper presents findings of a study that examined the extent to which eight health concepts, developed by the Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) team at the Health Institute, were prevalent within a population of school principals. A survey mailed to…

This paper presents findings of a national survey that asked principals to identify qualities they found desirable in teaching candidates. A total of 271 out of 500 secondary principals returned completed questionnaires, a 54 percent response rate. A single questionnaire item, in which respondents rated a fictitious teaching candidate, elicited a…

Although many studies have examined the competencies associated with being well-liked by the peer group, far less is known about the competencies children need in order to make and maintain good quality friendships. This study addressed friendship tasks, investigating 5 of 10 previously hypothesized competencies necessary to make and maintain good…

This paper describes an instructional method designed to increase opportunities for students to learn and practice appropriate social skills. The strategies for development and implementation of such structured programs of nature-based and animal-based activities are based in part on a pilot program in three urban elementary and middle schools.…

Being gay or lesbian has been associated with many risk factors for youth, including the risk of rejection by family and peers. A limited study concerning gay youth at play and the significance of play in identity development of gay youth is reported here. The report has two purposes: to describe the social activities at a gathering specifically…

Among studies that have examined the relationship between parenting styles and children's development of social skills, the research of Diana Baumrind is noteworthy. In several studies, she has identified authoritarian, permissive, and authoritative parenting styles, which differ on the dimensions of nurturance and parental control. Authoritarian…

Among studies that have examined the relationship between parenting styles and children's development of social skills, the research of Diana Baumrind is noteworthy. In several studies, she has identified authoritarian, permissive, and authoritative parenting styles, which differ on the dimensions of nurturance and parental control. Authoritarian…

The present research developed and validated a self-reported instrument called the "Relaxing Others Scale" (ROS), which is designed to identify individuals who possess the ability to relax others. A second part of the study involved assessing the construct validity of the ROS. Participants in the study were male and female dormitory…

This booklet for caregivers of infants and toddlers with disabilities is intended to provide an overview of early childhood development, from birth to 36 months of age. The booklet is organized into 3-month age spans for the first year, 6-month age spans for the second year, and a 12-month age span for the third year. For each level, typical…

This paper describes two projects analyzing forms of appearance and the characteristics of symbolic play, that is, spontaneous play free from adult intervention. The paper highlights some characteristics and theoretical orientations and discusses preliminary findings. The theoretical framework includes using evolutive cognitive and…

This study examined the social and cognitive competence of immigrant preschool children in France. A total of 25 immigrant (Maghreb) children and 25 nonimmigrant French children age 4 and 5 years participated in the study, which compared their cognitive abilities, adaptive behaviors, play abilities, and success in the first year of elementary…

This study examined the effect of various intervention contexts on the ability of young children (ages 3 and 4 years) with language impairments to effectively direct communications to a partner and to vary communicative intentions. The six children in the study were either nonverbal or in the early stages of developing verbal communication and all…

This unit of study aims to help students understand that persons with disabilities are more alike than different from persons without disabilities, to help students appreciate that all people regardless of differences are valuable and worthwhile, to offer students hands-on activities to help them become sensitive to the differences in the lives of…

The social studies teacher should assist pupils in developing meaningful learnings. A teacher can achieve such a goal by building on interests that students already have in the social studies. It also is necessary to provide for individual differences among elementary school children. The learner must perceive a purpose and must be able to…

This digest summarizes the literature on principles of changing behaviors in students with behavior disorders. Principles include: (1) focus on behaviors that need to be changed; (2) identify new behaviors to be developed; (3) provide opportunities to practice new behaviors; (4) treat social skills deficits as errors in learning; (5) teach…