Two studies examined young children's internal working model of self and their competence, social acceptance, behavioral adjustment, and behavioral manifestations of self-esteem. Results indicated significant and positive relations of the positiveness of self with competence and social acceptance, with behavioral adjustment to school, and with…

Discusses the use of folktales from India to teach kindness to kindergarten and primary school children. Notes that the "King of the Banyan Deer Tale" is particularly effective in early childhood, whereas the "Dooth Tale" is effective with older children. Supplemental activities are briefly described, such as food preparation, games and music, and…

Offers suggestions for fostering spiritual growth through skills and experiences that bring the religious behavior of at-risk youth closer to that of their more stable peers. Discusses the virtues that can help guide youth and lists strategies, such as teaching youth basic religious skills, to foster spiritual growth. (RJM)

Investigates the attainment and application of Social Problem Solving (SPS) skills gained by students participating in computer facilitated SPS guidance (N=12) in comparison to classmates not receiving supplemental instruction. Results show that both groups improved in overall SPS readiness skills, although the supplementary program boosted…

A survey of 76 secondary transition teachers resulted in the validation of eighth support strategies: (1) identify and provide social support; (2) identify environmental support and provide environmental changes; (3) promote acceptance; (4) observe student's opportunities for choice; (5) provide choice-making opportunities; (6) identify student's…

Differences in parent and teacher ratings of social-emotional behavior among 198 preschool-age children with developmental delays and 198 without significant developmental problems were examined. The children with developmental delays were rated by both groups as having significantly lower levels of social skills and significantly higher levels of…

Reviews the literature on instruction emphasizing social awareness as opposed to specific social skills for adolescents with mental retardation. Social competence is defined and discussed in terms of appropriate social behavior in work environments. Instructional approaches such as cognitive process approaches and community-based instructional…

This study compared the ongoing levels of naturally occurring behavior in 32 typical preschool-aged children and 32 children with autism. Results are discussed in terms of implications for establishing early social intervention goals for children with autism. It concludes that key peer-related behaviors must be assessed across time and activities…

Responses from 143 of 315 British college graduates showed that they rated the importance of transferable skills more highly than their own ability in these areas; they rated themselves lowest in information technology skills, highest in working without supervision; and males rated their own communication and problem-solving abilities more highly,…

Assessed parents' beliefs about former Head Start children's abilities and values in academics, sports, and social skills during their kindergarten year. Found that there were ethnic differences in parents' beliefs about children's abilities and future prospects in different areas. Parents' beliefs related to children's attitudes toward school and…

Discusses six proactive strategies to help teachers improve classroom discipline: (1) move around the room; (2) teach social skills; (3) have a sense of humor; (4) don't personalize unruly behavior; (5) look for causes of discipline problems; and (6) promote student responsibility. (SM)

Explores group experiences for first-semester, counselor education students (N=23). Focuses on interpersonal attitudes, emotional awareness, behavioral learning, interpersonal learning, and insight. Students exhibited positive reactions to an experience that created an uncomfortable level of anxiety. Likewise, interpersonal and authority conflicts…

Investigates the role of language in adult numeracy classrooms, utilizing the resources of systemic functional linguistics and constructs derived from conversational analysis and ethnomethodology to examine how these classrooms are constructed in discourse. The study characterizes these classrooms as mixed-mode discourse sites and examines how…

Following a survey of employers and recent graduates that rated communication the most important personal skill, two pilot surveys were conducted to learn the efficacy of interactive video on the development of interpersonal skills. The first showed no significant effect. The second showed that student learning through interactive video was higher…

This study evaluated the social goals and objectives in 163 Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) of preschool children in early childhood special education settings, using 3 federal criteria for evaluating quality of objectives: specification of setting, measurability, and criterion for success. Results indicated IEPs were lacking both in the…