Mothers ranging in age from 14 to 18 years enrolled in a high school program for teenage mothers evaluated a parenting manual. Overall comments about the manual were favorable. However, responses indicated that the manual may not be as relevant for adolescents expecting their first child. Suggestions were given and the manual was updated.…

Reviews recent long-term outcome studies concerning the psycho-educational functioning of children who were born with very low birth weight (2.20 to 3.31 pounds). Findings indicate that these children develop without problems in some, but not all, areas. The areas most consistently affected were neuro-motor and mathematics. (Author/CR)

Three analytic approaches were used in a framework of classical test theory to examine the construct validity of a mathematics assessment of 16 constructed response items. Results from 280 elementary school students across four age groups suggest a developmental structure of tasks and subdomains that was generally consistent with the test's…

Asserts that, for young children's development, there is no other activity as meaningful as play. Discusses how play helps in life skill development, how children learn through their senses during play, how play contributes to children's independence, how to shop for toys, and age-appropriate toys and activities. (EV)

Compares the family-centeredness of East and West Berliners with primary school-aged children shortly after the breakdown of East Germany by examining parental attitudes regarding friendship among children. Observes that while parents in East Berlin exerted greater control than those in West Berlin, children's integration into their extrafamilial…

Questions which familial socialization conditions are related systematically to individual student educational careers and motivations to learn. Assumes that students' motivations and aspirations are influenced by their parents' school-related practices. Concludes that autonomy-promoting, supportive pedagogical practices promote motivation to…

Discusses recent brain-research findings relevant for educators: the brain changes physiologically as a result of experience; IQ is not fixed at birth; some abilities are acquired more easily during certain windows of opportunity; and learning is strongly influenced by emotion. Environmental enrichment unmistakably influences the brain's growth…

Discusses the multiple medical, dental, therapeutic, psychosocial, and early intervention needs faced by children with cleft lip and cleft plate during the first three years of life. The physiological development of children with these disabilities is described and the need for interdisciplinary team involvement is emphasized. (Author/CR)

Examines three transcripts of preschool children's informal mathematical discourse during play to highlight the role of informal learning in young children's education. Considers the children's ability to adopt instructor, mediator and evaluator communication roles, to gain access to formal mathematics knowledge, and to use these to meet…

Recounts that studies of adolescent conduct have found that exemplary and antisocial behavior can be predicted by the manner in which their moral concerns are integrated into their descriptions of self. Proposes a new method, "The Youth Charter," for promoting adolescent self-identification with a coherent set of moral standards. (DSK)

Suggests that society is increasingly hostile to youth, fixating on progress and success rather than treasuring children's genuineness and carefree innocence. Recommends giving children space to grow; becoming aware of what children say, think, and want; and discovering the limitations of goodness as a goal for child behavior. (DLH)

Considers alternative ways of conceptualizing patterns of attachment, arguing that danger prompts organization of protective strategies in children. Discusses issues of what is normal versus atypical; complex organization versus disorganization; neurological disorders and temperament; assessment of patterns of attachment and analysis of attachment…

Explores the role of observed parental affect and encouragement in children's empathy-related responding and moral behavior, specifically cheating on a puzzle activity. Finds that (1) parents' affect and encouragement positively related to children's sympathy (not empathy) and (2) boys' cheating on the puzzle correlated to parents' affect and…

This article discusses the importance of learning to define a word. It provides a brief background on the contribution of the definitional skills to communication and school success, information on children's development of definitions, and teacher and family strategies for enhancing young children's definitions in relation to other skills.…

Analyzes why mothers make metacognitive decisions affecting how they scaffold books for children, interviewing them while they watched a videotape of booksharing events with children. Indicates that mothers, regardless of children's ages, made specific strategic metacognitive decisions about how text was best shared with their children. Concludes…