Reviews research on the use of computers in preschool and kindergarten classrooms and their effect on social development. Also discusses gender differences in computer use among young children and the effects of computer-based activities on the inclusion of children with disabilities. Implications for preschool curriculum are examined. (MDM)

Discusses techniques that teachers and caregivers can use to assess the social development of young children. Indicates how anecdotal records, running records, checklists, rating scales, and standardized tests allow educators to determine the social competency of children and plan appropriate intervention strategies. (MDM)

Reviews recent studies on the effects of mixed-age grouping (MAG) in Swedish nursery and elementary schools. Although studies conducted in the 1970s and 1980s suggested that MAG was beneficial to children's learning and socioemotional development and to teachers' work satisfaction, studies conducted in the 1990s suggest that MAG does not promote…

Describes the implementation and supports the effectiveness of a cognitive-behavioral group counseling game, the Social Skills Game (Berg, 1989) in enhancing social skills, as measured by the Walker-McConnell Scale of Social Competence and School Adjustment, of third- to sixth-grade children with learning disabilities. (LKS)

Examined the influence of mother-child conversation about child's social relationship on the development of children's interpersonal competence. Found that children's relationships with others were an integral part of mother-children conversations. The types of relationships discussed and the elaborateness with which they were discussed varied as…

This paper describes the findings of a three-year research project on teacher development in which some New Zealand science teachers were developing their teaching to take into account students' thinking and constructivist views of learning. The main finding was that the teacher development and learning involved professional, personal, and social…

Studied three different criteria of within-sex, gender-related individual differences taken from three studies. Data showed that items displaying large sex differences tended also to correlate most strongly with independent gender-related criteria within the sexes. Discusses assessment implications for gender-related and other group-related…

Reviews how chronic illness affects the psychosocial and cognitive development of ill children, using both Eriksonian and Piagetian theoretical rubrics. Explores family and child stress and coping with medical crises and manifestations of illness. Provides recommendations for enhancing parent and professional communication and educational…

A longitudinal study of conflict management among siblings found that children's use of other-oriented statements emerged between 33 and 47 months of age, and that children used other-oriented arguments with their friends more often than with their mothers or siblings. Further, at 33 months, children used more reasoning during conflicts when not…

Presents results of a study developing an informal social skills teacher rating scale for use with early adolescents. Reports that the scale includes skill identification and situational analysis. Provides information on identifying and ranking responses and checking a content validity and reliability. Concludes that the matrix can generate…

Found that 75 percent of variance in children's first-grade achievement was predicted by measures of their achievement, object play, and peer interaction in kindergarten; and that aspects of first graders' personality disorders and aggressive behavior were predicted by their popularity in kindergarten. (MM)

Examines relationships between academic achievement and general self-esteem in light of variables of deviance, motivation, psychological distress, illness, and school absence using data from 242 high achieving students in grades 7 through 12 in a private, independent coeducational preparatory school. General self-esteem influences and is…

The interactions of Efe infants and toddlers in Zaire with their parents, other adults, and other children were observed. Efe children experienced a pattern of simultaneous and multiple relationships, rather than a pattern that initially focuses on one person and then progresses to other relationships. (BC)

Takes the position, contrary to that of Sandra Scarr, that the details of socialization patterns are crucial to an understanding of normal and deviant development. Research is cited to support the argument that better than adequate parenting optimizes the development of both normal and vulnerable children and that parents' belief in their own…

Phenomenological interviews conducted with 30 attendees and 15 alumni of Wyoming's High School Institute (HSI), a summer residential program for high ability 15-year olds, identified 2 primary themes relating to the social and emotional needs and experiences of the subjects. Themes included social experiences and awareness of others. Subcategories…