The article describes children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), noting it can contribute to school underachievement, learning disabilities, difficulties in social adjustment, and emotional disorders. It examines diagnosis, neurobehavioral factors, and outcome and discusses coping via behavior modification at home, classroom…

Discusses findings providing evidence for the significance of early childhood for brain development, highlighting pivotal discoveries that should guide care and education of the young. Includes information on stages of brain wiring, critical periods, and the role of environment in brain development. Makes recommendations for broad policy changes…

There are 3.2 million children in the United States living with their grandparents or other kin, a 40 percent increase since 1980. This exploding sociological trend with far-reaching implications for our future spans every segment of our society--rich and poor, black and white, Asian and Hispanic, urban and suburban. Based on interviews with…

This report concludes a 2-year study of the "forgotten half"--the approximately 20 million 16- to 24-year-olds who are unlikely to attend college and so will miss out on the special privileges society accords to the college-educated. The report features diagnoses for treating youth in trouble and prescriptions to foster the healthy development of…

Teachers who are specialists in motoric skill-building need to think about ways in which they can help the whole child develop. This paper discusses: (1) fine and gross motor development in infancy; (2) baby cuddling for optimal motoric development; (3) cross-cultural studies and infant body holding; (4) floor freedom for babies; (5) body language…

This publication discusses policy issues, practices, and research related to parent involvement in education in the United States. Written for local school boards, professional staff who work with boards, and interested parents, the paper calls for policies that will encourage parents to assist in their children's educational development. After an…

This collection of articles, intended for kindergarten teachers, focuses on the importance of the teacher's relationship with parents and the need for parents to be active participants in their child's educational development. The first article reviews the literature and research related to parent/early childhood education, touches on some current…

Addresses the single-parent phenomenon and its impact on employee and employer concerns. The six articles deal with the problems employed single parents face relating to role conflict, day care, career development and parent child relationships. The value of mentors and other social supports is noted. (JAC)

Education may promote the development of students' whole-person identity formation--the spiritual, psychological, social, emotional, and intellectual. This paper considers how identify formation and self-esteem are related, how parents form the foundation for identity, and how teachers can contribute to further growth. Erikson's theory of…

The result of a unique collaboration between a black male and white female whose disparate backgrounds held numerous commonalities, this book examines the detrimental effects of the current market economy and negligent public policy on the well-being of American families. The first section of the book narrates the authors' working-class family…

Noting that characteristics such as attachment, honesty, self control, sportsmanship, generosity, and courage may be nurtured or thwarted by parents, teachers, or society, this book examines the roots of male character from birth to late adolescence. It maintains that particular intrinsic biological drives combine with parenting styles and…

This paper describes intrapersonal and interpersonal attributes needed for emotional growth and character development, stressing the importance of teaching children personal discipline and doing "good because good is good to do" rather than the use of behavioral interventions. In the area of intrapersonal competence, the paper proposes…

A former childcare worker addresses the connection between social problems plaguing modern life and society's attitudes toward the role of women and mothering. She describes the detrimental effects on children who are placed in day care at an early age and urges that families abandon materialism and work toward improving the quality of their own…

A memory of her first day at school in rural Arkansas defined the author's philosophy of education as lifelong search for identity, as an individual and a member of the community and world. Her teaching style reflects her parents' beliefs in their role as prime educators and in the role of education in developing a strong sense of self. (TD)

This series of papers examines the role of play from various angles, discussing play as an essential human function and universal experience, the role of play in developing cultural values and awareness, a symbolic interactionist view of play, early therapeutic recreation specialists, and the direction of commercialized play. (SM)