Traces the concept of solitary play through a review of the available research, queries whether solitary play is an indicator of social immaturity or autonomous achievement striving, and calls for further research in this area. (Author/MP)

The current trend of hurrying a child's development, as evidenced by the popularity of disposable pants for toilet training, is criticized. The pants frustrate both parents and children and, it is concluded, serve no useful purpose in the toilet-learning process. (LB)

The author argues that adult society prohibits adolescents from attaining maturity and that, in response to such constraints, adolescents turn to games, rituals, and charades. This state of affairs is viewed as an implicit adult conspiracy against adolescents. (DB)

Issues such as the nature of maturity, relationship between work and family, and social class differences in adult development will affect the content and planning of future continuing education programs for adults facing mid-life change. (SK)

Reflects on reading research and reading education, observing that mature judgment and perspective seem to be lacking in both fields. (MM)

J. Weeden and J. Sabini's finding of small to no relation between traits rated as attractive in a mate and health of that mate might be interpreted as consistent with C. Darwin's (1859) proposal that these traits are arbitrary signs of beauty. However, such a conclusion would be premature. A combination of consistent empirical findings with…

Among children of teenage mothers the probability of developmental problems and physical risks is increased$by the mother's physical and social youthfulness and lack of life experience and skills. Some problems of these children stem from adolescent parents' own struggles with tasks unique to their stage of life. Lack of information regarding…

Discusses how "The Earthsea Trilogy" by Ursula LeGuin embodies her peculiar vision of awareness of the processes of human maturation in terms derived from the philosophies of Carl Jung and Tao. (HOD)

Discusses ways to assist the development of individual, interpersonal, and social adequacy in adolescents who are chronically ill. (SS)

Argues that teacher education can be improved by making it more available to more experienced, older students. Asserts that those students who have reached higher developmental stages generally do better as trainees and as practicing teachers. (SK)

Personal comments from high school participants in community service programs illustrate how they gain new definitions of themselves, new information and understanding of others, awareness of a broader range of places and people, affirmation and development of underused personal qualities, and the empowering feeling of making a contribution. (SK)

This paper proposes that, contrary to the idea that creativity declines during the second half of life, observed changes may actually reflect qualitative changes in the creative process. Life span developmental theory is used to examine empirical and theoretical ideas about mature forms of thinking in relation to creativity. (DB)

Examines how the two very different novels--"Millie's Boy" and "Father Figure"--treat the commonplace theme of the quest for mature identity in a similar but very uncommon fashion. (HOD)

Suggests J. M. Barrie's "Peter Pan" to those who teach the adolescent novel because it addresses the problems of growing up and deals with the price of maturity. (AEA)

Argues that two major transitions in a teacher's professional development offer inherent possibilities for occupational growth--the tenth year, in which teachers opt for a classroom career, and the twentieth year, which marks a major alteration in attitudes towards students and towards the process of aging. (Author/WD)