Suggests that lags in practitioner development for mental health primary prevention programs are due to the emphasis that practitioner education places on individual treatment rather than on larger ecological systems affecting the individual. Describes core activities of primary prevention and the knowledge, skills, and attributes necessary to…

A multivariate comparison of the childbearing and childrearing experiences of teenage and older mothers (N=67) was undertaken to investigate factors assumed to be responsible for developmental deficits experienced by children born to teenage mothers. The two groups were found to be quite similar on most of the variables studied. (Author)

Assessed the effects of participation in a Big Sisters' Program. The first part consisted of interviews (N=20) with pairs of Big Sisters-Little Sisters. The second part evaluated program effectiveness experimentally. Findings indicated positive relationships between pairs, and improved behavior of experimental girls versus controls. (RC)

Teacher evaluation of kindergarten children showed half lacked leadership ability and appeared to be followers. Many lacked initiative, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to take constructive criticism. Suggests schools have a responsibility to provide an environment free from deprivation of social values. Urges that internal self-discipline…

Using a four-level sequential model of work task mastery, proposes a process task approach to task learning involving watching and listening, assisting, participating, and performing. Identifies the social, cognitive, and self-concept components contributing to the development of traits, attitudes, and values that undergird work behavior. (RC)

Five symposium papers evaluate the usefulness of ideas associated with the life-span view for enriching, highlighting, or expanding issues, theory, and research pertinent to change processes during infancy, childhood, adolescence, and adulthood, and for intervention programs during these periods. (Author/MP)

The author describes the Allen School of Northborough, Massachusetts, which emphasized the "innate goodness" of children's natures and stressed practice and experience in education. She contrasts the Allens' educational philosophy with that of Bronson Alcott. (Author/SK)

Describes how mental health counselors can begin to obtain the knowledge and awareness needed to help grieving children. Discusses (1) developmental stages of understanding death, (2) children's reactions to the death process, and (3) the counselor's role in helping a grieving youngster. (Author/JAC)

Discusses reasons for the ineffectiveness of social science research in influencing public policy and turning results into useful social policy. Suggests ways social scientists can influence social policy for children within the public and private sectors. Includes recommendations for more applied research, work with community organizations, and…

Analyzed the Weigl-Goldstein-Scheerer Color-Form Test using a sample of Danish children. Distinguished three dimensions: configuration of sorting, verbalization of the sorting principle, and the flexibility of switching sorting principle. The three dimensions proved themselves to constitute the a-priori-defined gradients. Results indicated a…

Describes an issues approach to child development used to make the curriculum more relevant to college students. Activities included reading the text, reports, films, observing children, speakers, and debating the importance of the issues. Course evaluation showed that students benefited from the combined approach. (Author/JAC)

The case is made for basing analysis of longitudinal data on each subject's curve of scores. In this analysis of IQ scores from a longitudinal study, fitted curves yielded significant error reduction, rendering untenable the doctrine of IQ constancy. A visual method of curve classification is also presented. (Author/SJL)

Three major areas of research are reviewed: the effects of maternal employment on preschoolers; the working mother and school-age children; and working mothers, identity development, and life satisfaction. Concludes that very few definitive answers exist regarding the effects of a mother's working on her family, children, and herself. (Author)

Demographic data indicate that changes have taken place in family life and child rearing in Australia. Because more women work, traditional parenting roles have become strained. Children's emotional and physical development has been linked to effective parenting; preschool centers are accepted resources for parents who cannot stay at home with…

Reviews several current social, economic, and educational trends that are likely to influence the provision of early childhood education in the future. Implications of the trends for parent education, art education, teacher education, and school practices are discussed. (DB)