This paper reviews research on social competence in young children, outlining nine factors that influence the development of social competence. These are: (1) positive self-esteem; (2) a positive attitude; (3) active participation; (4) respect for others; (5) effective communication skills; (6) problem-solving ability; (7) an outgoing personality;…

Brief descriptions of recent research in early childhood moral development and the author's own hypotheses about the relevance of moral development theory on early childhood classrooms and curricula are provided. The three recent research studies focus on young children's development of a capacity for empathy, social perspective, and sense of…

Argues that studies of young children's cognitive, socioemotional, and physical development in group day care generally support the social realities of contemporary family life, including the need for developing high-quality professional infant and child care systems. (HOD)

This bulletin offers guidelines to help parents and teachers improve the thinking skills of gifted children. It stresses the importance of encouraging thinking through the use of evocative questions, distinguishes between and defines critical thinking and creative thinking, and offers suggested questions to prompt either creative/divergent…

This paper examines the extent to which home background and school climate affects ninth grade students' social and political understanding and participation. Using the data from the student questionnaires (n=3106) of the 1999 Civic Education survey, a study was conducted in Cyprus to examine ninth graders' participation in social actions. The…

Many researchers in the field of education and psychology have been aware of the tremendous impact of the environment as a complex system on human development. By providing and creating the most favorable environment for children, active and wholesome social development is promoted. Three principle areas of concern in creating a quality early…

Investigated the effects of sociopolitical upheaval on Bulgarian youths' adaptation and perceptions of supportive environment, particularly the stability and change of schools as a protective factor in this process. High school students, surveyed twice over 2 years, perceived supportive environments as either stable or improved; saw declines in…

Examined the prevalence of violence and its impact on young children as a critical risk factor leading to dysfunctional behaviors and problems. Risk-and-resiliency theory reviewed within a model that facilitates the development of functional adaptive behaviors. Identifies the school as a resource for fostering resilience in children who are at…

Examines the current societal and educational context for change in public schools. Notes conditions that create roadblocks to school reform, including fiscal constraints, deteriorating home environment, teacher and administrator stress, expanding services, and diversity in schools. Briefly reviews change literature. (55 references) (MLF)

Modeled the relationship between student career aspiration and educational productivity in science teaching. The structural equation model was cross-validated by the seventh grade data from the Longitudinal Study of American Youth. Interprets statistical findings in terms of student aptitude-attributes, instructional characteristics, and…

In this case study, an 8-year-old, verbally gifted, struggling reader's difficult experiences at home and school are discussed, as well as the responses to the paradox of his being highly verbal yet failing at reading. Research findings on verbal giftedness and underachievement are presented. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

The relationship between social, family, peer and school factors and leisure engagement within a transactional model of stress and health was investigated in 655 young adults. Results show that the family environment, encouragement from parents and teachers, relationships with peers and socioeconomic factors in childhood predict adult attitudes to…

The major premise of this paper concerns the existence of an intrinsic connection between the institutional culture of school and students' dispositions to learning. The data presented shows three things in particular. These are firstly, the strong mono-culture of the Israeli school, secondly, a virtual absence of knowledge, understanding and…

For more than 50 years, the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) has been conducting comparative studies of educational achievement in a number of curriculum areas, including mathematics and science. TIMSS 2011 represents the fifth cycle of the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS),…

This paper is based on a qualitative case study on the perceptions of Malaysian Chinese parents towards literacy practices of their two children specifically in relation to the socialization practices they privilege at home. It looks at these literacy practices as choices made by parents for their teenage children at the intersection of home,…