Argues that instructors of courses in psychology of gender roles need to address the life-stage concerns of participants in their classes. Identifies seven unifying themes for such a course and provides examples of useful topics, films, and books with a developmental emphasis. (Author/JDH)

Research on factors affecting the aging learner, including intelligence, memory, motivation, loss of speed, and physical health is reviewed, refuting the belief that learning ability declines with age. Strategies and techniques for the education of older adults are recommended. (SK)

Discusses recent research on story structure in terms of developmental differences in comprehension and presents some suggestions on how this new evidence can be applied to teaching strategies in the classroom. (Author)

This article is the first of a two-part review of research on children's and adults understanding of gravity and on how best to teach gravity concepts to students and teachers. This first article concerns free fall--how and why objects fall when they are dropped. The review begins with a brief historical sketch of how these ideas were developed in…

This curriculum on aging is designed to help promote positive attitudes toward age and aging among young children. It focuses on developing the concepts of: (1) aging is a natural and lifelong process of growing and developing; (2) old and young are similar in many ways; (3) older people are valuable and contributing members of society; (4) old…

Physical educators must teach preadolescents about safe and realistic strength-training methods commensurate with their needs and physical capabilities. The risk of injuries can be reduced by setting prudent goals, using equipment tailored to the age level, and educating students about their unique growth state. (PP)

Discusses young children's emotional responses during medical examinations and procedures, developmental changes in how they conceptualize illness causation, and the role of play to reduce stress. Describes how teachers can best facilitate structured dramatic medical play therapeutically. (KB)

Discusses children's attitudes toward humorous stories, the variables regarding children's sense of humor, and the results of a study examining the relationship between children's grade level and sex and their preference for and perception of select elements of humor. Includes a bibliography of 50 books children might find humorous. (Author/HTH)

Describes a primary teacher's experience with implementing developmentally appropriate practice. Documents the process of changing teaching methods, abandoning ability grouping in reading, giving children significant choices, following children's progress, staying informed and sharing with colleagues, informing parents, and evaluating teaching…

Elementary schools generally expect similar achievement levels of children who are 12 months apart in age at the kindergarten level. Suggests 11 steps to apply practices to primary grades that are common in working with younger children that allow for the normal variation in development that exists among children. (MLF)

Discusses two approaches that parents and preschool teachers can use to encourage fantasy play among young children: creating a supportive environment and taking part in play. The ages of the children involved can help teachers decide which method is more helpful. (BB)

This is the second and final part of a review of educational research on children's ideas about gravity. The first part concerned students' understanding of how and why things fall. This article picks up the trail of research studies that address students' understanding of the more complex ideas of projectile motion and orbits and examines how the…

This report was written to extend the findings of the Roger Tory Peterson Institute's 1990 forum on early-childhood environmental education. The report begins with an overview of Peterson's own childhood experiences that influenced his career as a naturalist. Peterson developed a hands-on interest in nature as a very young boy. His case is not…

This booklet was developed to provide a brief review of adult characteristics and teaching methods for the new teacher of adults. The first of eleven sections highlights adult education and how to use the booklet to improve instruction. Section 2 lists general and physical characteristics of adults and their implications on teaching. The third…

A discussion of communicative language teaching of children of about eight focuses on their unique communication capacities and needs, particularly in the school environment, on the importance of teaching communication strategies as a social and linguistic tool, on developing metalinguistic competence, and on the role of the imagination in…