This literature review analyzes current and past research surrounding inclusivity in the classroom and how it affects children's social and emotional development. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of teachers fostering an inclusive environment within their classrooms. This paper touches on peer interactions, the effects of rejection…

Being rejected by peers has devastating consequences for a child's future social-cognitive development. It is therefore important to investigate factors that contribute to childhood peer rejection. In doing so, the present review specifically focused on sociometric status, a concept that refers to a child's position within the peer group (e.g.,…

The use of Social Stories[TM] appears to be popular among educational psychologists (EPs) and other children's services professionals as an intervention for enhancing the social functioning of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). This article explores and evaluates the research evidence upon which this apparent popularity is based.…

Childhood obesity is associated with a variety of medical and psychosocial consequences. Children who are obese are at an increased risk of being victims of weight-based stigmatization by their peers. Negative views toward obese individuals may be expressed through children's friendship selections and expressed levels of overt (e.g., pushing,…

Investigates the nature of children's self-reported recess problems and the degree to which these were correlated with children's peer acceptance and mutual friendships. Modest relations were reported between inclusion recess problems and children's mutual friendships and peer acceptance. Results suggest that self-reported recess problems are a…

Describes investigation systematically comparing influence of naturalistic social behaviors and nonbehavioral variables, measured by live observations, on development of peer status in unfamiliar boys attending summer research program. Participants included attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and comparison boys. Discusses implications for…

Investigates differences in social cognitive processing between two sub-types of aggressive children in grades two through four: those rejected by their peers and those not rejected. Descriptive discriminant analysis reveals that aggressive nonrejected children were more likely to believe that aggression leads to positive outcomes, and were more…

Students who have recently come to the United States from other countries often have significant difficulties gaining acceptance among their peers. This article brings the reader into the experiential world of immigrant young people and suggests procedures for fostering belonging and inclusion in these new citizens. (Author/MKA)

This article focuses on the stigma that results from childhood illnesses and disabilities. Roots of stigmatization and the impact of physically observable differences on young people are discussed. Recommends therapeutic approaches for helping children respond more sensitively to peers with disabilities and to assist youngsters affected by medical…

Focuses on the low-level aggression of verbal abuse demonstrated by children and adolescents. Describes the teasing, cursing, gossip, and ostracism associated with verbal abuse. Provides strategies for working with youth who are verbally aggressive including, how to reduce verbal maltreatment, how to engage in constructive communication, and ways…

Examined cross-cultural research literature for support of relationship between children's social functioning and peer acceptance and psychosocial well-being. Used PsychLIT search to identify 18 cross-cultural observational studies focusing on interaction of children up to 12 years. Encountered theoretical orientations. Found that the studies did…

Introduces this theme issue by synthesizing findings obtained using diverse methodologies derived from different theories about children's friendships. Comments on the trend away from studying global peer acceptance to studying friendship dyads. Discusses the features--individual, age, and gender differences--of children's friendships. (DR)

Describes the characteristics of nonaggressive rejected youths and the generalist systems-ecological perspective as a framework for intervention. The article also specifies strategies for school social workers to use at multiple levels--individual, peer, school, family, and community systems--to help this population. (Contains 73 references.) (GCP)

Presents a response to Gifford-Smith and Brownell's "Childhood Peer Relationships: Social Acceptance, Friendships, and Peer Networks" (this issue). Focuses on the interaction of context, children's social skillfulness, and the type of peer relationship targeted as central elements in conceptualizing effective interventions. (Contains 12…

This article reviews current research on pupils' perceptions of others' difficulties in learning. It focuses on children's perceptions about other people; children as "na ve biologists" attempting to explain growth and development in others; and children's responses to and use of cues based on achievement and ideas about ability.…