This longitudinal study followed the social development of 239 students (including 10 students with learning disabilities) from kindergarten through fifth grade. Repeated measurements of peer acceptance, reciprocal friendship, self-concept, and social skills found a substantial amount of instability in social competence components for the students…

This response to Vaughn and Hogan (EC 608 627), who reported a longitudinal study on the social competence of 10 children with learning disabilities, looks at problems in doing longitudinal research; the influence of environmental factors; and developmental issues. Possible interventions with children having consistent social problems are noted.…

Sixty 10- to 12-year-old Irish girls completed questionnaires that assessed depression and self-perception and a newly developed scale that assessed peer victimization. Girls were also asked to identify themselves or their classmates as being the victims of bullying. The 12 girls who said they were bullied scored higher on the peer victimization…

Examines the use of gender-distinctive language in preschool sibling conversations, focusing on mitigation in directives and related forms used during pretend play. Findings indicate that gender-distinctive patterns of language use are sensitive to variations in situation and interaction partner. (19 references) (CK)

Hypothesized a model linking three perceived support variables--level of support, quality of support, and hope about future support--to false self-behaviors (not the "real me"). The best fitting model for the parent and peer data revealed that perceived quality and level of parental support predicted hope about future parental support,…

Describes the problems of a child who is academically underachieving and has problems making friends. Analysis of the problem was presented by three physicians. Emphasizes the role of pediatricians in working with schools to assess children's aptitude and emotional functioning. Concludes that more research is needed to define cost effective…

Describes the author's experience of teaching three composition courses--Women Essayists, Language Awareness, and Advanced Argumentation. Explains how she turned much of the teaching over to the students and how most everyone benefited from it. (TB)

Uses the concept of cross-pressures to predict frequency of adolescent alcohol, cigarette, and drug use. Eighth-, 10th-, and 12-grade respondents reported frequency of alcohol, cigarette, and drug use for 30 days prior to the survey. They also reported perceptions of friends' approval/disapproval of substance use, peer pressure to use, and their…

Details a study evaluating the construct and concurrent validity of a modified version of the Penn Interactive Peer Play Scale (PIPPS), a teacher-rating instrument of interactive play behaviors of preschool children. Use and further study of developmentally appropriate social competencies for African-American Head Start children are discussed.…

This article reports factors associated with good versus poor outcomes for 173 young adults referred for mental health services. Participants with good outcomes differed in quality and stability of their living situations, full-time versus part-time employment, peer relationships, goal orientation, successful experiences, stressful experiences,…

Critically examines three propositions of Harris' group socialization theory (1995, 1998) related to parents' long-term effects on children's psychological characteristics, peer groups' influences, and the nature of dyadic relationships. Maintains that available evidence is more consistent with a model of multiple socialization agents. Proposes a…

This study examined relationships between parent-child pretense and physical play and children's social competence. Observations suggest that mutually responsive parent-child interaction during both pretense and physical play is associated with children's social competence. Children's emotion knowledge was positively associated with social…

Using the language experience approach, the role of elicited response in second language learning was examined among 45 preschool children in a dual language program. The conditions, variables, and social influences that affect second language acquisition of dominant and minority languages are discussed, as well as the implications of different…

A study compared the performance of 12 general education students and 12 students with mental retardation in a high school lunchroom. Both similarities and differences were found in social behaviors, conversational topics, and interaction context. Students with mental retardation, however, rarely interacted with any general education students.…

Two studies examined the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of typically-developing children attending inclusive, university- or community-based early-childhood programs and the beliefs of their parents. Found that parents' beliefs and children's attitudes toward children with disabilities were positively related to the frequency of children's…