This systematic review evaluates interventions using active video games (AVGs) to increase physical activity and summarizes laboratory studies quantifying intensity of AVG play among children and adults. Databases (Cochrane Library, PsychInfo, PubMed, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science) and forward citation and reference list searches were used to…

Although the influence of intrinsic and extrinsic factors on the development of reaching and grasping skills in typical infants has been extensively described in the literature, the effect of such factors on at-risk infants is still poorly understood. Therefore, the aims of the present study were to analyze the scientific publications, from 1980…

Researchers have examined inductive reasoning to identify different cognitive processes when participants deal with inductive problems. This article presents a prescriptive theory of inductive reasoning that identifies cognitive processing using a procedural strategy for making comparisons. It is hypothesized that training in the use of the…

A comprehensive synthesis of experimental intervention studies that have included students with learning disabilities was based on 180 studies. Results support the pervasive influence of cognitive strategy and direct instruction models for remediating the academic difficulties of children with learning disabilities. (SLD)

Reviews four major ways of measuring children's fearful behavior (through behavioral rating scales, self-report measures, projective techniques, and physiological measures). Makes the point that disruptive behaviors in dental settings are seen in relatively few children, with marked diminutions in anxiety occurring in the preschool years. (RH)

Noting that a central tenet of the 1996 welfare reform law was that work was the best way to improve the lives of single parents and their children, this fact sheet summarizes research on the impact of parental work on children in families receiving welfare. The fact sheet delineates key research findings from experimental studies of the effects…

Discusses the problem of serious dangers in current and backlist chemistry experiment books. Discarding of older books and careful evaluation of the dangers inherent in newer books are recommended. Safe alternatives are suggested, including some criteria for evaluating dangers, and a safer approach used by a current author. (EM)

Introduces the growing body of research on development of scientific reasoning skills, focusing on reasoning and problem-solving strategies used in experimentation and evidence evaluation. Maintains that current research examines strategy development and use in moderately complex domains to examine conditions under which subjects' theories…

Considerable research illuminates the development of causal understanding. However, the research base is hardly a coherent whole. Some is based in research on children's understanding of particular science concepts. Some grows out of social psychology and considers how one attributes intentions and behaviors. Some comes from the developmental…

Background: Unusual responses to sensory stimuli are seen in many children with autism. Their presence was highlighted both in early accounts of autism and in more recent first-person descriptions. There is a widespread belief that sensory symptoms characterize autism and differentiate it from other disorders. This paper examines the empirical…

These guidelines are intended to help those who design and conduct investigations of psychopharmacologic agents in children. A progression of studies in four phases is advocated. First, early short term studies should establish single and multiple dose safety baselines. Second, early pilot efficacy studies may be initiated jointly with longer…

Argues that field research can provide evidence about the long-term socialization and developmental effects of media violence on viewer's behavior. Summarizes findings from a number of quasi-experimental studies about the effects of naturally occurring media violence. Concludes that these findings are often consistent with the hypothesis that…

The Project on State-Level Child Outcomes was initiated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to examine the effects on children of waiver policies related to state welfare reform efforts prior to the passage of federal welfare reform legislation. This report details the project's examination of child well-being in the context of…

Analyzes research on social comparisons by children of elementary school age or younger with respect to sex differences. Examines theoretical perspectives. Categorizes research by investigation setting, summarizes major findings, and makes recommendations for future research. (FMW)

As the amount of resources allocated to out-of-school (OST) programming and policymakers' demands for research-based results increase, there is increasing interest in rigorous research designs to examine OST program outcomes. This issue of "Out-of-School Time Evaluation Snapshots" reviews 27 quasi-experimental and experimental OST…