This paper describes the "Problem Solving for Life" training program which trains adolescents and adults with mental retardation in skills for solving social problems. The program requires group participants to solve social problems by practicing two prerequisite skills (relaxation and positive self-statements) and four problem solving steps: (1)…

Defining social cognition as our attempts to make sense of how people think, perceive, infer, feel, and react, this book examines both the classical issues and contemporary understanding of theory and research in social cognitive development. The initial chapters highlight one of the central, theoretical tensions in the field, which is whether the…

This paper discusses how to manage students with behavior problems, noting the sharp difference between discipline problems of the 1940's and discipline problems of today (e.g., assault, murder, burglary, arson, and gang warfare). Some teachers are more effective than others in dealing with troubled students. Teachers' personal characteristics and…

The Families Communicate pilot project provides early intervention at the home campuses for students having discipline problems and their families. The interactive curriculum is presented in four sessions: (1) communication; (2) anger management; (3) conflict resolution; and (4) problem solving. Facilitators were trained, and the pilot project was…

This study was designed to examine the relative importance of several determinants of children's friendship stability: friendship quality, friendship reciprocity, and children's individual characteristics. Also examined were changes in students' friendships across the junior high transition. Measures of friendship and school adjustment were…

This paper presents a relevant literary review and then develops a behavior-management program within schools encompassing social-skills training for all children. Both the literary review and this program can be used to educate administrators, educators, parents, and students about behaviors and warning signs associated with violent children. The…

Most people know much more than they can communicate because their personal knowledge is so thoroughly grounded in experience that it cannot be expressed in its fullness. This study examines how two superintendents used tacit knowledge to build shattered trust in their school boards. Trust is first examined as a multifaceted aspect of human…

This study examined behavioral development during the first year of life of 41 infants diagnosed with cerebral palsy, hypotonia, or hypertonia. The KID Scale, an empirically normed, caregiver-report inventory which covers behavior in five domains (cognitive, motor, language, self help, and social) was administered at about 5, 9, and 12 months…

Based on the view that positive peer relationships help children function successfully at school, this study examined how teachers can help rejected, aggressive, or controversial children build social skills in a small group setting. Participating were three kindergarten students at a rural Alaskan elementary school, selected because they…

An action research project developed and implemented a program to improve student social skills. The targeted population consisted of students in fourth grade, sixth grade, and special education classrooms (n=46) in three different school districts. Income levels varied among school districts. Targeted behaviors included fighting, defiance, being…

Cognitive skills, engagement in school, social skills, and physical well being are all important for children's early success in school. However, some groups of children begin kindergarten less ready for school than others and, by the end of first grade, still haven't "caught up" with their more successful peers. This CrossCurrents brief reports…

Article briefly discusses an analysis of students' academic and social scores in a Montessori school as compared with other elementary school education programs. Montessori education is characterized by multi-age classrooms, a special set of educational materials, student-chosen work in long time blocks, collaboration, the absence of grades and…

Describes classroom approaches for encouraging healthy social interaction: social skills training, and interpersonal cognitive problem solving. Addresses service delivery considerations, such as personnel, purpose, types of children, research and service, and scheduling. (AOS)