This critical analysis examines the claim that learning within the student's zone of proximal development is enhanced by "making connections to what the learner already knows." It is argued that Rogoff's and Gardner's use of Vygotsky's theory to explain learning in school-like tasks places primary emphasis on how the adult should connect…

These symposium papers report (1) collaboration between the University of Bath and the Preschool Playgroups Association to develop training materials for expanding parents' awareness of their preschool children's developmental needs and ways to meet them; and (2) the development and implementation of a community-based approach to early childhood…

Research findings are reported which depict characteristics and conditions of young adolescents in the 1980s. Discussion begins with an overview of what is known about the physical, socioemotional, and cognitive growth of young adolescents. It is argued that: (1) adults perpetuate many myths about teenagers; (2) adolescence is no more pathological…

Television's impact on children and the positive role of parents in moderating that impact is discussed in terms of: (1) the view that television has a largely negative impact on children; (2) the importance of television literacy; (3) ways in which parents are molding television's impact to their purposes; (4) variation in television's impact…

Research in staff development and in teacher career development provides useful information so that staff development programs can be tailored to accommodate teachers' needs at different career stages. Findings of studies on staff development have identified characteristics of successful inservice programs. Collaboration between all participants…

The Specials Projects (Innovations) Program of the Commonwealth Schools Commission in Australia was established to improve primary and secondary education by encouraging innovation and diversity in teaching through grants to individuals, usually teachers. This study focuses on the professional development of the teachers involved. Forty-five…

Discussion explores the role of guilt in depression, arguing that "how children come to view themselves as pervasively responsible for bad things that happen" is a key element in the social transmission of affect that involves guilt. "Guilt" basically is an adaptive emotion that involves thoughts of remorse or responsibility…

Discussed are: (1) historical and cultural backgrounds of the Japanese style of child rearing; (2) differences of child rearing style between Japan and the United States; (3) the hidden curriculum at school and home. Content explores the recent controversy in Japan over "Amae," or the Japanese infant's craving for close contact with its…

This paper discusses the content, theoretical context, and goals of elementary art and music education. The paper focuses on statements about teaching for understanding, higher order thinking, and problem solving. Part 1 addresses the historical and theoretical context of goals and practices in art and music education. Four currents of curriculum…

Research on everyday learning has begun to illuminate some of the relations between activity and knowledge, and thus can help educators reconceptualize classroom activities. For example, how and what children learn about money epitomize many of the differences between everyday and school-based problem solving. The general goals of this paper are…

This family life instructional unit is organized around four themes: (1) the importance of families; (2) human growth and development; (3) dilemmas and issues; and (4) promoting positive lifestyle practices. Lessons in the dilemmas and issues section include more in-depth information on subjects such as marriage and issues related to sexuality and…

The study circle concept, now almost a century old, is by far the most popular form of adult education in Sweden. Swedish study circles are sponsored by 10 national educational associations that receive substantial annual subsidies from the national government. Together with 140 folk high schools (residential adult programs), university short…

This booklet for parents of children not yet old enough to attend kindergarten is first in a series of five on educational opportunities in Virginia. It includes information about children from birth to 5 years of age and gives suggestions for parents on helping children develop. The booklet also provides facts about education programs in…

This paper argues that the emerging discipline of sociobiology has the potential of doing what epistemologists, developmental psychologists, psychoanalysts, and ethologists have been unable to do: to provide a theory documenting our inherited dispositions as reflected in cultural evolution and personal development. Accordingly, the paper begins…

Designed to inform professionals about how a child behaves when not in school, the Parent Inventory of Child Development in Nonschool Environments assesses the affective behavior (including activity level, adaptability, distractability, moodiness, sociability and persistence) and the fine motor, gross motor, communication skills, and cognitive…