Our culture's preoccupation with gender differences is reflected in the importance developmental psychologists have placed on gender-related issues. Discusses the following areas of research where gender has been a primary focus: (1) measurement of intellectual abilities; (2) biology and behavior; and (3) socialization processes. Discusses policy…

Writers and books viewed as having particular value in planning for gifted education in the year 2000 are identified, including works on identifying the gifted, accelerated early development, behavioral and learning characteristics, aesthetics, core gifted curriculum, literature studies, ethics, philosophy, and mathematical and scientific…

Compares parents' knowledge of behavioral capabilities of young children in a sample of low-income Hispanic, Black, and Anglo communities. Results indicate foreign-born Hispanics, more than other groups, perceive children's motor skills and language abilities as developing at later age. Discusses implications for social programs. (Author/TES)

Presents theoretical background for building an early childhood curriculum based on the Educare approach. Five principles are explained. They emphasize that learning drives development and that social interaction, interpersonal relationships, mutual understanding, and culture are unique in developmental processes. Concludes that teachers can have…

Two viewpoints criticize the views of DeYoung and others by claiming that the middle school movement came about as a result of research documenting the developmental needs of children. Rejoinder by DeYoung and others maintains that this trend has led to the loss of rural communities and had more to do with economic factors and rural elementary…

Attitudes toward school of 3,000 urban middle school students were studied over several years as part of a larger evaluation of a middle grades reform initiative. Results suggested that the "mismatch" hypothesized by other researchers between developmental needs of young adolescents and middle school structure and practices may be greater for…

Children who are deficient in social skills or who have developed inappropriate communication skills may be at risk in school and disruptive to family dynamics. To prevent crises developing in adolescence, the Stop-Think-Do social skills program, first developed in Australia, provides a method of reinforcing cooperative behavior and…

Describes the demographic, social, and political variables influencing the development of young children; their relationship to the need for comprehensive services; and the need for early childhood educators who possess competencies to serve diverse groups of young children, including those dealing with poverty, violence, cultural diversity,…

Developmentally appropriate games in physical education provide ample learning time for all students, not just highly skilled students. The paper explains how to modify activities to be developmentally appropriate so students at all skill levels can succeed. (SM)

Examines a number of theoretical issues in the provision of education and care for preschool children in the United Kingdom, focusing on the ideology of child care, the psychology of child development, and definitions of education and care. Argues that present services are too rigid and outdated, uncoordinated, and inequitable. (MDM)

Explores the importance of play in the cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development of young children. Functional, constructive, and dramatic play, and games with rules, are examined. Suggests that play is a powerful curricular tool for the kindergarten and primary classroom. Investigates ways to integrate play into the curriculum and to…

Reviews studies of the effects of prenatal drug exposure on child development, and reviews ideal early intervention programs. Researchers agree that prenatal drug exposure is only one of many factors that can influence a child's development. Specialized treatment programs and family support can ameliorate prenatal drug exposure effects. (SLD)

Discusses the history of school psychology, emphasizing the work of L. Witmer (1897, 1907, 1910, 1922) and G. S. Hall (1911, 1923). Providing psychological services in the schools is among the earliest instances of applied psychology. School psychology was one of many child-saving services originating from 1890 to 1920. (SLD)

Discusses purposes of the arts in early childhood education. Examines some of the contemporary proposals for art in early childhood programs, including discipline-based art education. Suggests a framework for selecting art activities for early childhood programs and provides examples of appropriate activities for young children. (CFR)

Defines UNESCO's place in the United Nations system. Outlines new situations that have arisen in recent years for the world's children, noting that the major problem for international organizations is not children's survival but their development. Presents an early childhood development programing model which takes into account research and the…