Presents data from a survey of randomly selected adolescents (N=474) which examined differences between male and female sexual identities. Results indicate two main dimensions in male sexual self-concept: socioemotional and the relational. Female sexual self-concept revolved around concerns with assertiveness, such as controlling when sex occurs.…

Comparison of 8 toddlers and 14 preschool special needs children who participated in teacher-facilitated computer play activities and 15 similar children whose curriculum did not incorporate computer activities found statistically significant differences favoring the experimental group for amount of simple and cooperative social play and positive…

Analyzed toddlers' verbal speech concurrent with nonverbal behavior. Fourteen dyads of unfamiliar peers were observed at 16, 20, 24, and 32 months of age. Found that six types of speech increased in frequency only after the peer partners had shown a marked increase in their readiness to imitate each others' nonverbal actions. (MOK)

Camp experiences are fertile ground for developing youth leadership skills such as self-awareness, communication skills, interpersonal skills, and ethics and responsibilities associated with leadership. Discusses camp activities that develop each of these skills, and the role of camps in reversing high-risk behaviors by providing adequate support…

Identified social schema by correlating memories of problematic encounters with self-esteem for 84 adolescents and adults. Found that adolescent self-esteem is localized in relationships with peers rather than parents and is based on different relational schema for females compared with males, suggesting need for preventive interventions to…

Rebutts claims by Ben Spiecker and Jan Steutel that sex between individuals with mild or moderate mental retardation is morally permissable only with the substitutive consent of caregivers. Reviews historical, empirical, and practical considerations. Concludes that Spiecker and Steutel's arguments are deeply flawed and their proposed policy is…

Argues that Stephen Greenspan's comment is incoherent and that Mal Leichester and Pam Cooke's position has unacceptable practical consequences. Cautions that their positions have disquieting implications for the practice of treating mental retardation as an exempting condition; and the practice of giving them special welfare rights loses their…

Emphasizes that the Brazleton and Greenspan book focuses on the needs of children, not those of parents or service providers, spotlighting healthy maturation. Stresses recommendations for public policy, research, and clinical experiences. (SD)

This article discusses social giftedness and its characteristics. Social giftedness is defined as the exceptional capacity to form mature, productive relationships and develop effective social interactions with peers and others. Special abilities include understanding, empathy, tolerance, and justice. A study using the Delphi technique to identify…

Presents salient features of workshop discussion on encouraging social collaboration through play. Main topics covered are: theories and play; play and the curriculum, including evidence that play-based curricula are developmentally appropriate, desirable educational outcomes; and promoting the value of play, including Parten's typology, grouping,…

Examined conflict behavior of 50 3-year olds in day care centers to learn how and why adults become involved in children's conflicts. Found that adults were more likely to intervene when there was some physical activity involved in the conflict, and that this heading off of violence may inhibit children from learning to deal independently with…

At a private high school in Providence, Rhode Island, students benefit from Big Brother and Sister programs, peer mediation, and lessons in emotional intelligence across the curriculum. These activities are part of a comprehensive social and emotional education program called "Success for Life." For nearly 20 years, seniors have been…

Adult educator training at St. Francis Xavier University (Nova Scotia) focuses on preparing educators for complex global realities. Interviews with four faculty revealed themes in their teaching practices in community-based and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs): storytelling, dialog, questioning, communicating/interacting with students, and…

Evaluates a program designed to improve self-esteem in adolescents. Used commercial movies about teenagers to enhance adolescents' interest and understanding of their world. Findings indicated significant increases in measures of self concept, self satisfaction, family self, and social self over the course of the program. (RJM)

Evaluated the ethological approach in studying children's interactions and play in an Australian preschool. Factor analysis yielded a gender-linked factor loading on looking and playing house, a physical activity factor, and a sociability factor. Findings suggest that though time consuming and labor-intensive, this approach can provide unique…