Examines the ability of 30 normal and 30 learning disabled children across a three-year period to understand a sequence of instructions, communicate the steps in a sequence to others, and rephrase their verbal messages through a referential communication task. (HOD)

Fifty-two adolescent mothers were observed at home interacting with their six-month-old infants and male partners and questioned independently about their dyadic relationships, social support networks, and life stresses. Showed mothers interacted much more actively with the infants than did fathers. (HOD)

The use of trained gynecologic teaching associates (GTAs) in providing instruction on the gynecologic examination is discussed. GTAs work in pairs; while one provides instruction, the other serves as a model. A study to measure student anxiety and confidence during the examination is described. (MLW)

Teacher-completed Behavior Problem Checklists for students (elementary/secondary) identified as educable mentally retarded, behaviorally disordered, or learning disabled, or not identified as handicapped showed that, as expected, behaviorally disordered students generally displayed more adjustment problems than the other groups, although for…

The Yale Child Study Center collaborated with the New Haven School System and initiated a school improvement plan that was successful in improving schools for low income, perdominantly minority children. It used principles from behavioral and social sciences to change the social systems under which the schools operated. (MD)

The experience of teaching both detached and participant observation methods in a graduate level competency based counseling course is described. An evaluation indicated that the course increased students' awareness of basic issues in psychological inquiry and helped them develop skills and attitudes necessary for social and cultural…

The article describes the "Competency Based Curriculum" for the affective domain which is designed to teach children basic social interaction skills necessary to develop and internalize self-controlling behaviors. Instructional activities and assessment tasks are considered for several types of the 11 objectives. (CL)

Six methods for assessing children's social skills are described and evaluated. They are sociometrics, ratings by others, naturalistic observations, behavioral role plays, behavioral interviews, and self-report measures. Issues of definition, classification, and social validity are examined to provide a context for understanding problems and…

Assessed changes in skills level of 50 students taking a course in basic interpersonal skills and compared two methods of providing feedback. All subjects were videotaped. Increases in empathy, self-disclosure, and nonverbal listening skills were found in both dyad and group feedback conditions. Both conditions were equally effective. (JAC)

"Equipped for the Future" ("EFF") Standards have been developed to answer a complex question: What do adults need to know and be able to do in order to carry out their roles and responsibilities as workers, parents and family members, and citizens and community members? It is widely recognized that the demands of adult life changed dramatically in…

Students can avoid poor choices if educators teach them to stop and ask themselves, "Is this the right thing to do?" To be effective, schools must create a climate of high expectations, not only in terms of academic performance, but also to elevate the levels of students' decision-making processes. Educators can do this through coaching, modeling,…

This monograph proposes an approach to discipline that emphasizes school community building and offers examples from the Kendall Demonstration Elementary School (KDES) and the Model Secondary School for the Deaf (MSSD), both in Washington, DC. Following discussion of the problem of violence in today's schools, the paper addresses the importance of…

This issue of the quarterly newsletter, "PLAINTalk," is the first in a four part series, reprinting chapters from Sharon and Craig Ramey's book, "Going to School." This issue presents practical and useful techniques for parents, covering the following topics: (1) How Parents Can Help Children Learn; (2) How Does Your Child's Brain Work; (3) The…

From earliest infancy, a typically developing child imitates or mirrors the facial expressions, postures and gestures, and emotional behavior of others. Where does this capacity come from, and what function does it serve? What happens when imitation is impaired? Synthesizing cutting-edge research emerging from a range of disciplines, this…