This interview with James T. Webb, clinical psychologist and coauthor of "Guiding the Gifted Child" (1982), focuses on ambivalent messages communicated to gifted/talented children, balancing parental attention among gifted and less gifted siblings, teaching social skills, underachievement, benefits of special programing for emotional development,…

An evaluation of the New Parents as Teachers (NPAT) program concluded that a high quality parent education and support program conducted during a child's first three years measurably increases the child's intellectual, achievement, and language abilities. Parental involvement with parent educators during home visits is the single most important…

Statement of American Council on Rural Special Education's Early Childhood Special Education Task Force on rural implementation of federal Titles I and II. Emphasizes need for state planning, professional representation of children, and parent involvement in special education decisions. Discusses family role, service delivery, and teacher…

Examines whether a good relationship with both parents can buffer male adolescents from divorced families against detrimental effects of divorce by preventing adjustment problems, compared to adolescents from intact families. Studied three subject groups: divorced/good relationship with both parents; divorced/poor relationship with both parents;…

The father of an infant with motor neuron disease describes his early experiences with medical professionals. He urges that parents see the medical community as assistants in the process of raising a special needs child, and urges that the medical community see parents as full partners. (JDD)

Suggestions are provided for parents and teachers cooperatively planning an exciting drug and alcohol prevention program, particularly geared toward senior high school students. Activities include a video contest, drinking-party alternatives, awareness weeks, posters, film festivals, and parenting sessions. (CB)

Parents of aggressive children often act in ways which contribute to and maintain their children's aggression. Common characteristics of parents of aggressive children include: unfulfilled dependency needs, low self-esteem, bonding failure, disturbed identity formation, cognitive immaturity, denied affects, chaotic lifestyle, and social isolation.…

Discusses ways to help motivate reluctant readers. Topics include early reading experiences of aliterate readers; the value of reading-related activities like book clubs and reading clubs; other activities that motivate and/or discourage readers; the role of parents, teachers, and librarians; and narrowing choices to make book selection easier.…

Suggestions are offered for parents who wish to support their gifted children's writing. Parents should write themselves and share their writing with their children. Parents should encourage children to write abundantly to promote children's interest and confidence. Parents should not correct or comment on their children's writing unless asked for…

Acknowledges the limited extend to which modern Soviet or Russian literature has dealt with the relationship of religion and children. Provides a bibliographic essay illustrating the religious deprivation of most Russian children, how they are becoming more religious, and how this is reflected in contemporary Russian literature. (CFR)

Reviews research assessing the mother's contribution to children's early symbolic play competence, focusing on children ages 12-36 months. Finds that, as with other family members, mothers can encourage pretend play, but perhaps there is no special maternal role in the process. The quality and quantity of sophisticated play might be affected by…

Presents text from the vision statement for family friendly libraries to help citizens who are experiencing difficulties with public library system policies of the American Library Association. Describes five articles from the statement: traditional family emphasis, parental library rights, respect for standards and laws, respect for minors, and…

Profiles the parenting seminars and counseling services for divorcing parents offered by the Children of Separation and Divorce Center, a community service agency in Maryland. The seminars are designed to help parents adjust to divorce and understand the needs of their children during and after the divorce process. (MDM)

Argues against using punishment and rewards to motivate children, maintaining that, although penalties and prizes may change behavior in the short term, they do not help children become responsible decision makers in the long term. (MDM)

Discussion of children in single-parent families focuses on contributions fathers make to children's development; proposes a model for viewing fathers' roles in literacy; and suggests programs for libraries and schools to involve fathers and compensate for fathers' absences, including a bibliography of children's literature with positive male role…