Explores the preferences exhibited by 40 10- and 11-year-olds and 40 13- and 14-year-olds for rhythm patterns and scale modes used in Japanese folk songs. Reveals that bouncing rhythms appeal to Japanese elementary school children while junior high students widened their preferences to scale or melody movement, disregarding bouncing rhythm. (CMK)

Suggests that quality child care includes loving relationships between staff and child and between child and child. Emphasizes personal attachment and socialization as builders of a child's tolerance, self-identity, independence, and generosity. Identifies positive emotional context as crucial for learning environments. (DLH)

In inclusive classrooms, all students can learn more effectively if teachers adjust instruction for individual learning styles and needs. This paper describes: reasons to use differentiated instruction; the principles of differentiated instruction (based on the theory of multiple intelligences); instructional strategies (e.g., acceleration,…

Assesses the effectiveness of a mother-focused, neonatal hospital-based intervention program in which 12 low socioeconomic group mothers in Boston participated in a structured developmental and behavioral assessment of their premature infants, with the goal of enhancing their ability to provide appropriate interactions and environmental…

Studied the social networks and daily activities of children and adolescents living or working on the streets of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Found that youngsters who lived at home and worked on the street appeared to be experiencing orderly development despite their impoverished circumstances. Youngsters who lived on the streets, however, showed…

Reviews recent research on the development of aggressive behavior in childhood and early adolescence using an ecological perspective focusing on social development in the family, school, peer group, and community. Asserts family processes and early childhood peer relations that appear to tip developmental trajectories toward social rejection at…

Discusses the importance of science education in early childhood education and describes different approaches in incorporating physics into the preschool curriculum. Provides examples of experiments and encourages parent participation in children's science activities. Concludes by looking at science as an equity issue and emphasizes that science…

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…

Comments on Skinner, Zimmer-Gembeck and Connell's study (PS 528 522) which investigated the relationship between elementary school students' beliefs-performance cycles and their perceived control and classroom engagement. Notes methodological and theoretical issues and controversial issues raised by the study. Discusses the links to other…

Two studies examined developmental outcomes associated with services in inclusive and self-contained preschool classrooms. Children functioning at relatively higher levels of social and emotional functioning performed better in inclusive settings than in specialized settings and children in full-day classrooms achieved higher rates of progress…

Reviews "Children in Long-Term Foster Care: Emotional and Social Development" by Colette McAuley, an intensive study of 19 children in middle childhood in their first two years of foster placement in Northern Ireland. Maintains that the book's strengths include its discussion on interviews with children, the applicability of attachment…

Considers the implications of nonparental care for cognitive development and behavior problems in Swiss young children. Finds that the effect of nonparental care on behavior problems was mediated by the pattern of attachment to the mother and that the effect on cognitive development was mediated by the quality of care. (DSK)

This article discusses the importance of obtaining developmental history in the screening and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders in children. Steps for obtaining developmental history are described and general guidelines are provided. Instruments for collecting developmental history and diagnostic indicators for autism spectrum disorders are…

Examines why a sixth-grade teacher in a Waldorf classroom selected the particular forms of representation for the lessons in a thematic unit. States that the teacher represented the lessons in ways that would bring about experiences, feelings, and imagination (such as story telling, visual arts, and singing.) (CMK)

Interviews with 47 Mexican-American children in grades 2 and 6 and their parents revealed that parental ethnic socialization about ethnic discrimination was associated with children's development of ethnic knowledge. Children's understanding of ethnic prejudice was related to their ethnic knowledge but not their ethnic behaviors. Contains 24…