Investigated the impact of the outdoor-learning environment on play behaviors and peer relationships of second graders with different levels of physical competence. Found that playground design influenced children's social- and physical-skill development by facilitating or constraining the strategies they used to manage their play with peers. A…

Discusses the importance of cooperative learning, focusing on what is and is not a cooperative effort; types of cooperative learning; an example of integrated use of cooperative learning; cooperative schools; basic elements of cooperation; and what is known about cooperative efforts (related to achievement, interpersonal relationship, and…

Communicative functions, overall developmental level, and autistic features were studied in eight females (ages 11-36) with Rett Syndrome. Low levels of communicative abilities and overall functioning were demonstrated, and joint attention behaviors and expression of communicative intent were rare. Six subjects, however, showed clear examples of…

Linking the Interests of Families and Teachers (LIFT), a prevention program designed for delivery to children and parents within the elementary school setting, is described. Components include classroom-based child social and problem skills training, playground-based behavior modification, and group-delivered parent training. Successful results of…

A study compared characteristics of two preschool boys with profound bilateral hearing impairments. The linguistic and social development of the boy whose hearing impairment was detected at age 2 was found to be much slower than that of the boy whose hearing impairment was detected at 4 months. (Contains references.) (CR)

Explores how first-grade children cope with changes during their transition to school, including changes of status, environment, social experiences, and cultural influences. Notes the importance of communication and friendship for helping children cope. (JPB)

This article describes three cognitive and metacognitive learning strategies for students with disabilities, including the CAST (character, action, setting, the end) reading strategy, the PLEASE writing strategy, and the LISTEN (look, idle your motor, sit up straight, turn to me, engage your brain, now.) social skills strategy. (Contains…

Discusses how elementary school counselors can best promote personal and social development of children through group work, in which peers contribute to development. Proposes that a group focused on developing empathic skill helps children move beyond egocentrism and build the foundation for social skills. Presents a psychoeducational group model…

Examines the formation of group norms in computer-mediated communication (CMC) among students who used e-mail as part of a course. Shows that norms prescribing a particular use of technology are socially constructed over time at the level of locally defined groups, and also shows that the influence of these norms is limited to the boundaries of…

This study compared parent and teacher perceptions of 23 gifted children's (ages 6-12) social skills and the importance of different social skills. Teacher ratings of cooperation were significantly higher than parent ratings, and teachers valued cooperation highly. Parent ratings of assertion were significantly higher than teacher ratings, and…

Main and interactive effects of delinquent friends, peer attachment, and association with Chinese friends on delinquency were studied with Chinese-Canadian youths ages 10 to 20. Results show that association with delinquent friends increases delinquency involvement, while attachment to peers has the opposite effect. (SLD)

Development of social identity is crucial for adolescents. Because of the difficulty in developing a healthy identity in a homophobic world, gay and lesbian adolescents are an at-risk population. The counselor's role regarding the process of social identity formation, issues of isolation, educational issues, family issues, and health risks is…

Evaluated changes in mothers' interactive behaviors with infants from 6 to 40 months who were medically high risk, medically low risk, very low birthweight preterm, or full-term. Found that variations in mothers' responses to children's changing capabilities predicted rates of change in children's social skills. (Author/KB)

Transfer involves disembodying knowledge and transferring it for use in different contexts. Vocational knowledge arises in communities of practice, and difficulties arise in transferring it from one distinct community, such as a workplace, to another, such as a classroom. (SK)

New brain research shows that music improves our brain development and even enhances skills in other subjects such as reading and math. Music enhances creativity and promotes social development, personality adjustment, and self-worth. Music making provides the most extensive exercise for brain cells and their synaptic interconnections. (12…