Describes the teacher preparation program at LaSalle University, recently restructured around principles of human growth and development. Suggests that foundation courses stress developmental principles in relation to educational practice, the image of the child, educational theory, and educational language. Argues foundation courses suffer from…

Presents a useful technique for helping meet individual student needs and improving reading comprehension. Examines how literature can be used, through the bibliotherapeutic technique, with collaborative groups to facilitate the total development of children. (MG)

Advocated is the use of everyday games and situations instead of the traditional use of textbooks, workbooks, and worksheets. New goals and principles for the beginning arithmetic student are presented. Modifications of activities that promote the constructivist ideal are included. (KR)

Developmental language disorders in preschool children are described. Levels of linguistic functioning are defined, and clinical language disorders are presented. Implications for the school psychologist are discussed, with an emphasis on assessment of verbal and non-verbal functions. (SLD)

Suggests that policymakers and educators take advantage of the present opportunity to alter fundamentally the nation's understanding of the role and importance of education research in achieving education improvement. Discusses the need for restructuring the federal research program and calls for the creation of the National Institutes for…

Analyzed kindergarten report cards from Ohio public schools. Results indicated that there was an emphasis on academic skills and that kindergartners were expected to master skills in work habits and reading and math readiness. A behaviorist perspective was favored. (PCB)

Maintains that diversity enriches child care programs. (BB)

Discusses the origins of biological risks and their potential consequences for prepregnancy, prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal periods. Presents epidemiological data. Addresses issues of assessment of infant development and interventions provided for infants whose development is at risk. Highlights goals for prevention. A nationally derived data…

Addresses nutritional problems associated with developmental problems in infancy and childhood. Nutritional problems are often linked to environmental disadvantage; the possibility exists for long-term developmental effects. Treatment for undernutrition does not appear to reverse all negative effects. Prevention of nutritional disorders is better…

Reviews research on the changing patterns of childbearing among adolescents and the impact of premature parenthood on the life course of young mothers and their children. The evidence supports the need for more integration among services and the importance of increasing the availability of services to those in need. (Author/BJV)

Summarizes research on school effectiveness and teacher effects. Considers schooling and the learning environment within an ecological-transactional framework. Proposes interventions directed at the social regularities of the schooling environment as strategies to improve the learning environment of the school and optimize student outcomes.…

Discusses children's understanding of death during early and middle childhood. Describes four basic considerations (communication, acceptance, routine, and reactions) that apply to all situations with bereaved children. Looks at situation-specific reactions to terminally ill classmate, parental death, death of sibling, death of friend or relative,…

The evolution of Burma's much-needed medical school curriculum for child survival and development is chronicled, including discussion of constraints on and resistance to the curriculum. (MSE)

Describes procedures used to measure aspects of a classroom environment in which the development of prosocial characteristics is emphasized. Explains observation procedures, a teacher questionnaire, a child interview, and a child questionnaire. Finds observation to be the most useful means of assessment, with the other three procedures…

Social-cognitive modes of play and peer responses were observed in two classrooms of 40 three-year-olds, two classrooms of 32 four-year-olds, and two classrooms of 36 three- and four-year-olds. Developmental differences appeared in play patterns in same-age but not in mixed-age classrooms. (TJH)