A linguistic functions approach, which refers to the general social uses of language, is advocated as the most appropriate method of language instruction for mentally retarded children. Principles are detailed for sequencing linguistic functions for instruction through stages of expression of desires, reference and person concepts, inquiry skills,…

The responses of 20 learning disabled (LD) and 20 normal children (9 to 11 years old) to a social inference task were compared. The LD children showed deficits in interpretation of the situation and determining consequences. No differences were found between groups in determining antecedents. (Author)

Research is reviewed on social development of young exceptional children, with discussion of findings in the following topic areas: age differences, sex differences, the role of objects in social interactions, familiar vs. unfamiliar peers, group size, and setting. (CL)

Concludes that the movement from parallel play to group play may be more a matter of minutes that months. For the 41 children observed, who ranged in age from 32 to 42 months, parallel play often functioned in the stream of activities as a bridge to group play. (Author/RH)

Preschool children were required to discriminate and explain the differing feelings of each story character in two kinds of stories: (1) those in which cues for correct responses were located in the situation, and (2) those in which correct explanations required consideration of the characters' subjective characteristics. (Author/SS)

Discusses the importance of teaching social manners to young children as part of their social development, and describes ways to model good manners and help children form appropriate habits. Includes a chart on the development of manners in infants and toddlers, preschoolers, and older children, which summarizes techniques, language, mealtime…

The mother of a 12-year-old boy with Down Syndrome describes her efforts to develop a unique and rewarding summer program for her son. A 13-year-old was hired as the boy's paid companion, and both boys became involved in community activities, enjoyed the summer with their age peers, and became friends. (JDD)

Suggests that adequate conceptions of children's measurement processes should take into account social and cognitive learning. Contends that progress in children's performance in measurement depends on learning in both areas. Reports significant findings from two studies designed to test the effects of intersubjectivity, or the social dimension,…

Provides an overview of the preceding articles in this journal issue. Considers the timing of gender segregation, compatibility between play styles and gender segregation, possible physiological processes underlying gender segregation in play, children's cognitive knowledge about gender, and the consequences of gender segregation. (BAC)

Presents a theory of the connections between disabilities and gender, arguing that because bodies are so central to gender, people with disabilities are vulnerable to being denied gender recognition. Though both sexes experience devaluation and discrimination when disabled, being disabled further diminishes women's already devalued status. For…

Studied developmental trends in social aspects of self-knowledge for 461 adolescent girls and boys. Results suggest that Individuality and Belonging are separate constructs, with considerable variability among adolescents. Discusses implications for the study of individual differences and age-related variations in the personal and social basis of…

A new philosophical perspective is suggested that would transform and Africanize curricula, teaching, and learning in South African universities.

Rates of female to male depression rapidly soar during adolescence to a 2:1 ratio despite fairly equal rates throughout childhood. The literature suggests that changes in social development, social role expectations, and/or biology may play significant roles, but research considering these factors is scarce and inconsistent. This review considers…

Never having been a principal, I've always been curious about what it takes to be one. Over the years, I've been privileged to meet a number of K-8 principals and have almost always come away impressed. I don?t have to tell you how complex and challenging the principal's job has become, especially since the No Child Left Behind Act took effect.…