Noting that children are virtually born to learn, this videotape provides parents with insight into children's early learning capacity and ways that parents can facilitate that brain development. The first part of this videotape discusses the parents' role as a child's first teachers. General ways by which young children can learn are explored,…

This document consists of the two 2000 issues of "Alaska's Children," which provides information on the Alaska Head Start State Collaboration Project and updates on Head Start activities in Alaska. Regular features include a calendar of conferences and meetings, a status report on Alaska's children, reports from the Alaska Children's…

Reports results of a neuropsychiatric study focusing on psychiatric disorders in minimal brain disorder (MBD) syndromes. Prevalence figures for marked psychiatric abnormality in MBD were shown to be greater than those for psychiatric abnormality in children with neuroepileptic disorders in the Isle of Wight study. Psychotic behavior was found to…

Data show that the the "brain drain" of talented Black students from historically Black institutions to White ones, earlier traced from the 1930s to 1970, continued from 1970 to 1978. Black students with affluent, well-educated parents, and whose fathers have high-status occupations, also shifted from Black to White colleges. (MSE)

This paper describes recent advances in split-brain research and summarizes the qualities characterizing the two cerebral hemispheres. Traditional patterns of education, it is argued, are inadequate since they concentrate almost exclusively on the left hemisphere. Teaching strategies and school experiences are suggested to accelerate right…

Examines the early childhood and primary learning environments and developmentally appropriate practices in light of the findings of brain research in the mid to late 1990s. Focuses on how the brain works, creating the optimal learning environment, developing classroom learning centers, and presenting meaningful learning experiences. Identifies…

Findings are related from a study designed to determine the effect of verbal-only, imagery-only, and integrated (verbal-to-imaginal) strategies on third graders' (N=111) levels of economic reasoning (use or nonuse of cost-benefit analysis) in their personal decision making. Implications of these findings for curriculum planning are discussed.…

Changes in immigration patterns bring problems and opportunities to higher education. New federal law significantly changes the ethnic and skills mix of the immigrant pool. Issues emerging include potential brain drain; pressure for curriculum change; language as a barrier to access; and the rights of illegal immigrants to higher education. (MSE)

Examines the interinstitutional career mobility of Black college faculty, using a twice-stratified random sample of mobile faculty recruited to Black colleges during the 1981-82 academic year. Findings indicate little evidence of "brain drain" or "raiding" of Black faculty from Black to White colleges and universities in the…

Presents six articles on brain research and child development: "Brain Research, Infant Learning, and Child Care Curriculum" (J. R. Lally); "The Thinking Brain" (P. Schiller); "Early Experiences Shape Social Development" (B. Caldwell); "Facing the Challenge of Motor Development" (P. Weikart); Language…

The Circle of Courage identifies four universal needs of all children: Belonging, Mastery, Independence, and Generosity. When these needs are met, children grow and thrive. But when these growth needs are frustrated, multiple problems follow. The Circle of Courage defines problems of youth in terms of strengths and developmental needs. These…

Background: Sex-differences exist in some areas of human social behaviour. In animals, foetal testosterone (fT) plays a central role in organising the brain and in later social behaviour. fT has also been implicated in language development, eye-contact, and spatial ability in humans. Methods: Fifty-eight children (35 male and 23 female), whose fT…

Background: Psychophysiological measurement of processes related to social behavior may be valuable for research on individual differences and subgroups among children with autism spectrum disorders (Coleman, 1987; Dawson, Klinger, Panagiotides, Lewy, & Castelloe, 1995; Modahl et al., 1998). In particular, recent research and theory suggests that…

Background: Hans Asperger drew attention to individuals who show the core symptoms of autism in the presence of high verbal intelligence. Methods: A review of the literature explores current issues concerning the diagnosis and nature of Asperger syndrome. Results: The behavioural and neurophysiological evidence to date suggests that Asperger…