The social competence of 40 learning-disabled and 37 nondisabled Israeli children in grades 4-7 was evaluated by the students themselves and their teachers; cognitive and emotional aspects that mediate its level were assessed. Variables analyzed were level of cognitive, social, physical, general, and academic competence; task orientation;…

Argues that second language learning is a form of enculturation that involves learning the perspectives and identities that a culture allows and values. Proposes that a language teacher is actually changing the cultural identity of the student. (FMW)

Analyzes preschool class circle time from an ethnographic perspective. Findings suggest that rules, guidelines, expectations, and roles in the event change over time. (RJC)

Studied play development in 35 Down syndrome and 41 nonhandicapped young children during the transition from sensorimotor to representational functioning. During the transition, children with Down syndrome developed in a manner similar to that of nonhandicapped children, but at a slower pace. (RJC)

Draws on an Afrocentric paradigm to identify conceptual models for describing the response of Blacks to racial oppression. Argues that Black people's stylistic patterns of behaving play a role in the maintenance of their oppression, or efforts toward collective liberation. (MW)

Successful intervention for students with reading difficulties should integrate social/emotional variables with skills-based approaches, keeping in mind that these students are reluctant to take reading risks, appear immobilized when asked to read, flee from challenging reading tasks, engage in disruptive behavior, and refuse to complete reading…

The article describes a social skills training group for 10 British autistic children (ages 9-16 years) which aimed to integrate them into the regular classroom. The weekly sessions were held over 4 years and followed guidelines of G. Mesibov and S. Spence. (Author/DB)

The study investigated the contribution of disability parameters and chronic disability-related strain to the adaptation of 50 children (6 to 11 years old) with congenital physical disabilities and their mothers. Adaptation (except for the children's social functioning) was not significantly related to either the child's disability status nor the…

According to a recent Washington State survey, middle school educators need more than general training in teaching and administration to meet young adolescent students' needs. Respondents desired more knowledge about young adolescents' emotional, social, and intellectual development, and appropriate teaching and discipline techniques. Includes…

Assessed the impact of different forms of maltreatment on the socioemotional development of 70 children aged 5-7 years in a day camp. Maltreated children scored lower than the comparison group on self-esteem and prosocial measures and higher on withdrawn behavior ratings. (RJC)

Although Grusec and Goodnow provide a compelling framework for organizing disciplinary encounters found to affect moral internalization, their hypothesis remains untested. Researchers need to devise conceptually sound measures of message acceptance and show that message acceptance does indeed mediate internalization before committing themselves to…

Although Grusec and Goodnow make interesting suggestions concerning discipline variables that may affect internalization, their ideas are not integrated into a theory, and their definition of internalization is limited because parent-child similarity may result from children's attributing their values to parents. A theory linking discipline and…

Examined role of social anxiety, social withdrawal, and locus of control in the developmental level of interpersonal negotiation strategies (INS) when resolving hypothetical conflicts. Found that sociable children were more likely than socially withdrawn children to exhibit greater competence in INS. Children with internal locus of control were…

Examined the effects of a game involving cooperative interaction and symbolic play on child development in children ages six and seven. A pretest-intervention-posttest design was used with a sample of 125 experimental and 53 control subjects. Results suggest the intervention stimulated significant improvement in social behavior and in some…

Notes that a developmentally designed classroom environment supports children's individual and social development; encourages exploration, focused play, and cooperation; provides choices for children that support self-directed learning; and supports the caregiver-child relationship. Offers guidelines for a developmentally designed environment for…