Explores the question of how generous or altruistic behavior can be encouraged in the elementary school classroom. Cities social learning theory and research which demonstrates the importance of providing models of generous behavior. (BF/JH)

Examined linkages between 5- to 6-year-olds' participation in friendships, peer acceptance, and peer victimization and their school adjustment over time. Found evidence that adjustment was influenced by the diverse experiences encountered in different forms of relationships and that certain types of relationships had greater or lesser adaptive…

Uses a model of social identities to explore the incidence of cigarette smoking among adolescent girls. Found a sharp increase in girls' smoking at about 14 years of age related both to age and to puberty. The model identified "never smoked" and "regular smoker" groups but not occasional smokers. (RJM)

Explores whether involvement in Greek organizations enhances student development. Discusses areas of student development, such as academic, social, and moral and ethical development, and reviews studies examining the correlation between Greek organizations and student development. Studies show no conclusive evidence of Greek involvement leading to…

Interviews with directors and counselors at five camps that integrate children with disabilities into their programs show that integration is successful when there is adequate staff preparation and ongoing peer support and coaching. Interviews with 124 anglers revealed that although there are racial and gender differences in reasons for fishing,…

Suggests using books to nurture development of children's positive self-images by employing Narrative Therapy, a family therapy technique. Discusses guidelines to help children behave in more socially mature ways. Defines terms used in Narrative Therapy and gives examples of techniques. Lists children's books by therapy category and suggests ways…

When interscholastic athletic programs enhance students' intellectual and social development, athletic participation becomes a valuable educational experience. Achieving success in our society requires much more than attaining academic success. The positive relationship between interscholastic athletics and educational performance should…

Research on humans and monkeys is reviewed that supports the view that the medial temporal lobe, and, perhaps more specifically the amygdala, is the neural substrate underlying social deficits in autism. The relationship of early medial temporal lobe lesions to memory and socioemotional behavior is reviewed, as are the roles of the amygdala and…

A study assessed the utility of a social story intervention to improve the lunchtime eating behaviors of an adolescent with Asperger syndrome. The social story program resulted in a decrease in the number of food and drink skills and an increase in the frequency of appropriate mouth-wiping during school lunch. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

Describes the work and organization of the Center, which focuses on strengthening the capacity of child care and Head Start programs to improve social and emotional outcomes for young children. Specifically examines two main activities: creation of a series of What Works Briefs and development of a set of comprehensive training modules. (SD)

Daniel Goleman, author of the bestseller "Emotional Intelligence," spoke at the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development annual conference about children's declining emotional health indicators. He noted that emotional well-being predicts success in academic achievement, employment, marriage, and physical health; and that…

Discusses a study of 103 young children at risk of developing serious behavioral and emotional problems. Describes strategies for classroom management, academic enhancement, and social development that can be implemented in general education classrooms to prevent the development of serious emotional and behavioral problems in children. (CR)

Research shows that a good kindergarten is child-centered, not academically oriented. Teachers in child-centered classrooms encourage kids to make choices, help them stretch for the next learning level, and attend to their social and emotional development. Kindergarten should be an extension of preschool, not a jump start on first grade. Current…

Highly sanitized curricula and instructional approaches restrict the self-development needed to promote societal well-being. This problem is exacerbated in the early grades, where discussion of controversial social issues seemingly contradicts the goal of maintaining an emotionally safe classroom environment. This article examines how three…

Argues that apparent incompatibilities between social exchange and developmental perspectives can be resolved by using evolutionary theories to extend the logic of social exchange. Discusses the implications of an expanded evolutionary perspective on social exchange and development, proposing that developmental context and genetic relatedness may…