The changes in evaluation of preschool programs resulting from: (1) synthesis of service delivery system and child development outcomes assessment, (2) change from a focus on a single variable to the interaction and transaction of contextual variables, and (3) change from a focus on child development outcomes to effective program elements are…

At the beginning of this course in child and adolescent psychology, students are asked to write out one question they wish answered. Using this method, professors can be responsive to student needs without sacrificing the academic integrity of their courses. (CS)

Describes the interrelationship of reading and writing and proposes a full-school program for reading and writing development that builds on the full range of personal use of written language. (JL)

This article describes the playground of the future. Its design would promote both defined and creative play opportunities for all children including the handicapped. Also discussed is the equipment that would be useful in developing all children's perceptual motor abilities in 11 different areas. (JM)

Directional preference for horizontal hand movements was investigated in 49 right- and 49 left-handed four-year-olds using three drawing tests. Directionality for more complex perceptual-motor tasks has a different basis than directionality for simple tasks; such directionality is established at a later age but only for the right hand. (Author/CM)

Presents developmental principles with related applications for children, parents, teachers, and caregivers: (1) development takes place on an existing foundation; (2) development proceeds from general to specific; (3) development proceeds in stages; (4) developmental rates and patterns differ among individuals; (5) early years of development are…

Studied hand skill and performance in children (N=115) of left-handed parents using peg moving tasks and soccer kicks. Concluded that being raised by two left-handed parents does little to hinder the expression of the rs plus gene. Correlations for handedness in families depend more on genetics than experience. (Author/JAC)

Discusses Piaget's notion of intelligence, characteristics of formal operational thought, and the relationship between formal thought and reading ability. (HOD)

Focuses on another aspect of intergenerational ties--extended family relations between adolescents and their grandparents. The nature of this relationship is explored, and factors affecting the quality of the relationship are discussed. The ways in which grandparents may influence the development of their adolescent grandchildren are described.…

The Erica Method, a form of play-diagnosis and play-therapy used widely in Sweden, utilizes a standardized material that consists of sandboxes and miniature toys. The method is a very useful tool for better understanding of both developmental, neurological and psychopathological problems of childhood. (Author)

The article uses Jean Piaget's theory of four stages of intellectual growth to describe (1) developmental aspects of the six- to seven-year-old child which are pertinent to the teaching of social studies and (2) a social studies program which teaches rational thinking. (Author/KC)

The purpose of this study is to investigate the interaction of biological unfolding and culturally related factors on sequences of narrative figure drawings by American and Egyptian elementary students. Findings support hypotheses relating to the interaction of natural and nurtural influences on children's drawings. (Author/SJL)

Studied the social judgments of children aged 10-15 in Trinidad and in Canada. Ten-year-olds assigned significantly more persons to the positive poles of dimensions. Mid-adolescents applied positive poles of dimensions to persons approximately 62 percent of the time. Discussed findings in terms of developmental implications. (Author/RC)

Identifies social behaviors observed in (N=115) preschool children while manipulating various toys and materials in a preschool setting. Discusses the resulting data on toy/material use in terms of selecting physical stimuli in social behavior modification efforts for positive social interaction. (Author)

The concept of psychosocial stress is reviewed in relation to empirical findings on the effects of different types of life events in childhood and adult life. It is concluded that the concept is too broad and that the events need to be subdivided according to their characteristics and meaning. (Author/DB)