Examines how best to use cooperative learning in preschool classrooms. The article describes young children at play and discusses cooperative play (CP) and the development of social skills, the impact of CP, principles of implementing CP in preschool classrooms, and teacher role. (SM)

Cooperative learning (CL) needs direct instruction, because sitting students in close proximity does not ensure cooperation. The article explains how to promote CL with positive interdependence, individual accountability, and face-to-face interaction. It discusses group activities, explains advantages of CL to all involved, and notes possible…

Reflects on Head Start's beginnings, its goal of enhancing children's social competence, and errors associated with the incorporation of evaluation measures and curricula that are cognitive in orientation into its programs. Concludes that such errors must not recur. Evaluation measures and curricula must reflect concern for the child's whole…

Using data for 192 males and 462 females (432 whites, 97 African Americans 64 Hispanic Americans, and 61 Asian Americans) in Los Angeles County (California), this study confirmed that during adolescence, agency-related orientation predicts heightened self-esteem for males and communal orientation predicts heightened self-esteem for females at…

Examined thresholds for two aspects of child care: adult-child ratio and group size. Investigated associations among different levels of these variables and with quality of care and children's social development. Findings suggest that meeting licensing standards for ratios and groups has a positive effect on ratings of the quality of care provided…

A study among medical residents (n=50) at the University of Montreal and Laval University (Quebec) found that a structured series of 12 seminars dedicated to psychotherapeutic interventions by family doctors was effective in raising students' knowledge levels, perceived skills, and attitudes. Skills of the "how-to" type improved more…

This paper examines the impact of multiple grade skipping on social adjustment and self-esteem of extremely gifted students. A survey of the literature and research in Australia and the United States on well-planned and carefully monitored radical acceleration finds no evidence that students suffered social or emotional problems; to the contrary,…

Contends that primary teachers have an opportunity to teach basic geographic knowledge while they teach social and academic skills. Discusses how primary teachers can identify geographic concepts present in the developmentally appropriate activities currently being used in the classroom. (CFR)

Assigned 48 junior high school students screened for unassertive school behavior to social skills training groups which included modeling only, instructions only, modeling and instructions, and control. Found significant improvements in self-reported assertion and in assertive school behavior for training groups. Trained students were able to…

A survey for rating characteristics/skills of effective consultant behavior was developed and sent to and received from 177 school psychological/consultation experts and 307 school psychology practitioners nationwide. Four factors--consultation process skills, expert skills, personal characteristics, and interpersonal skills--were shared across…

Psychometric characteristics and factorial replicability of the factor structure of the adolescent version (grades 7-12) of the Walker-McConnell Scale of Social Competence and School Adjustment were studied in an initial wave (n=266) of the national normative sample. The version studied has substantial utility in assessing adolescent social…

Social skills and levels of inappropriate assertiveness/impulsiveness were assessed using the Matson Evaluation of Social Skills with Youngsters, with 17 autistic children (ages 2-21) and 17 matched nonautistic children. Significant differences in both appropriate and inappropriate social behaviors were found. Results suggest the importance of…

This article addresses the academic difficulties of children with language disorders (including dyslexia) and suggests that their persistent academic vulnerability results from the lifelong need to acquire language, to learn with language, and to apply language knowledge for academic learning and social development. The need for continuing…

This article describes a program at the Dallas (Texas) Regional Day School for the Deaf for multihandicapped elementary and secondary students. The program utilizes the Functional Skills Screening Inventory to identify current skills, develop objectives, monitor student progress, facilitate long-range planning, and evaluate the instructional…

Presents results of a study focusing on a program of dilemma discussion methods for an experimental group of female prisoners and their guards. Concludes that for both the prisoners and staff test scores reflect an increase in moral judgment and ego development. Urges consideration of prison reform from educational and developmental perspectives.…