Examines a classic text, Robert Louis Stevenson's "A Child's Garden of Verses," within the context of several of Stevenson's own essays. Suggests that unlike many children's books, it was an experiment and one that Stevenson, for various reasons, including his premature death, was never able to adapt for future use. (RS)

This qualitative study examined young children's music preferences through group conversations with children, interviews with parents, and non-participant observation of classroom settings in daycare and elementary classrooms. Data were analyzed inductively to generate themes, and revealed that (1) children expressed distinct preferences for an…

Interviews Charles Causley, distinguished contemporary British poet, who talks about his art and his work with children. (SR)

Recounts the activities that a number of bookstores have sponsored in order to generate children's interest in books, such as making valentines in February, having Santa Claus pay a visit in December, and having children tape record their favorite stories so that blind children can listen to them. (DF)

Betsy Byars, author of more than 15 children's books, comments upon her life and work, stressing the potent impact of childhood experience on her writing. (HOD)

Middle-class children, divided by age, sex, and the presence/absence of younger siblings in the family, were studied to assess their interest in babies. The findings support MacDonald's contention that birth order effects are best understood as distinctive for each sex, especially when the behaviors investigated are sex-related. (Author/GC)

Traces trends in children's literature and in children's interests from 1950 to the 1970s. Review of current literature reveals preoccupation with modern topics including psychology, science and technology, new career and life-style patterns, and exposing the darker side of life. Traditional aspects of children's literature which remain important…

Discusses the importance of childhood outdoor experiences in fostering an appreciation for the environment. Emphasizes giving children opportunities to find their special places in nature. (JRH)

The author recounts childhood interactions with animals in the "wild" and how these experiences can enrich the lives of both children and adults. (LZ)

Theories of teaching and learning on human cognition depend on domain-free, general purpose processing by the brain. Cognition is modular in nature and often domain-specific. Children's ideas in science are often triggered rather than learned. Triggered conceptual structures are not necessarily expressible in language and may not be susceptible to…

Reports the results of a study conducted to determine if selected English authors' writings concerning their experiences in childhood revealed a natural appetite for learning geography. Concludes that the evidence shows children are inherently interested in geography, but have often failed to have their interest stimulated and expanded by…

Parents have a profound effect on how children's time is spent. How out-of-school time is used, managed, and valued is critical. How many activities are too many, and how to determine your child's interests are discussed. (MT)

American children spend more time watching television than studying or communicating with their parents. Such a pervasive source of stimulation should be a matter of research significance for psychologists and educators. (Author/MJL)

Notes that few books dealing with computers are available for elementary school students. Provides an annotated list of the books that are available and makes suggestions for their use. (FL)

Focusing on those elements of children's preferences which link gender to social structure, the present study analyzes children's letters to Santa Claus. Findings show boys' and girls' requests to be similar when aspects of the child's world are measured and quite different when qualities representing the adult social order are measured.…