This article summarizes proposed benefits of children's play and critically reviews the empirical evidence which supports or refutes the explanatory model. It concludes with suggestions for future research to explicate more fully the developmental benefits of play for the child. (JD)

Contends that, to understand role of gender in psychological problems, counselors need to be aware of gender-socialized individual characteristics, which may affect what psychological problems people develop, associated symptoms, and how people respond to problems. Claims it is important to recognize how broader sociological context presents men…

Described are strategies for teaching social communication skills to 8- to 10-year-old students with mild handicaps. The instructional model involves determining behaviors to be taught; assessing social communication skills; teaching skills through motivating student performance, modeling, and practicing; and maintaining and transferring skills. A…

Interviews with 25 graduates from the National Technical Institute for the Deaf indicated respondents felt both mainstream and residential schools offer specific advantages and disadvantages and selection may involve trading academic for social opportunity. Both school experiences are important in the socialization of deaf people and development…

Examined the consequences of peer conflict on performance of a preference task and on relationships of 36 children of 8-11 years. Children evaluated their preferences more negatively after disagreeing with a friend than after disagreeing with a nonfriend, and were more likely to change, often to a more mature way of thinking. (RJC)

Examined rates of cognitive and psychosocial development and the influences of salient life experiences of traditional-aged college students. Results from 15 college students over one academic year suggest that intellectual and psychosocial developmental processes are not uniform, occur at discrepant rates, and are significantly affected by life…

Two sample lessons are presented to help elementary-school children with behavior disorders understand friendship relationships. Hypothetical student relations are diagrammed, and class discussions deal with the reasons for students' popularity and unpopularity and the acceptability or unacceptability of the reasons. (JDD)

Presents a model of cognition and emotion that suggests that feedback between cognition and emotion generates, maintains, and reconfigures interpretations of emotion-eliciting events at micro- and macrodevelopmental time scales and that personality and behavior self-organize in response to fluctuations in perception or cognition and trace…

Synthesizes the theoretical implications of the studies presented in this issue on social repercussions of a unified Germany, highlighting the effects of economic and political change on women, families, and youth, and their relevance for cultural-historical theories of human development. (JW)

Reviews research on children's imaginary companions. Notes that companions may serve many psychological functions, such as compensating for real or perceived deficits, and helping the child through difficult developmental times. Suggests that the companion does not compromise reality testing or social development, but may foster developmental,…

Examines the development of children's relationships with their country at different ages, and describes the manner in which this relationship becomes organized and the possible stages in its development. One hundred Irish children, aged 10, 12, 14, and 16, were asked to describe their thoughts and feelings about their country. (LZ)

Presents a collection of Valentine's Day-related kindergarten activities designed to help friendships grow. They include making personalized place mats as a group, creating decorated mail pouches, building heart shaped bird feeders, reading a book about friendly secrets and surprises, and decorating hearts with compliments about each student. (SM)

Interviews were conducted with 333 first through ninth graders to test a social convoy model of childhood social networks, in which social networks are viewed as dynamic, hierarchical structures affording support across the life span. Convoy support measures were associated with self-concept and teacher-rated sociability and mood at all ages. (MDM)

Argues for the importance of letting students bring their own literacy networks into the writing center. Describes the benefits of social and cultural interaction between students and their tutors. (PRA)

Reviews some of the major cognitive, social, and emotional achievements of young children and discusses some of their limitations. Divides description of development into intellectual, language, social, and emotional development. Notes that this division represents adult categories of thought and does not represent young children's actual modes of…