Curriculum plays an important role in ensuring continuity and progression from early childhood education and care (ECEC) to primary education. The alignment of curricula and standards across these settings shapes children's early experiences with education systems, with implications for children's relationships and engagement in both ECEC and…

"Changing Schools" places educational and social aims at the centre of a discussion of educational change. It draws on 14 case studies to explore school change which is oriented towards social justice and democracy. In an age of global mobility, economic polarization and unprecedented environmental and cultural challenges, the education…

Argues that children need play time to explore the world because it is valuable, irreplaceable, spontaneous, and provides situations where children can learn with all their senses. Examines play in terms of its role in exploration, imagination, creative activity, work, learning, knowledge expansion, art, and the culture of children. (Author/SD)

Evaluation of 54 mentally retarded pupils, aged 10 to 13, in 1979 and comparison with six samples of mentally normal pupils collected during the last two decades confirm that prevalence of additional problems among mentally retarded pupils is greater as compared to mentally normal pupils with respect to nine variables. (NEC)

Describes how Docent, Hewlett-Packard, and Saba began country-wide training initiatives that targeted work force development; continuing education, and elementary education. Suggests that the challenges faced multiplied exponentially when dealing with Norway, the Philippines, and the Netherlands. (JOW)

A description is given of an experiment investigating the applicability of a cybernetic theory in teaching children psychomotor skills. Results showed a learning effect in copying for younger subjects, in tracing for older subjects, and in tracking for all subjects. (GK)

Laerplan 97 (L97) is a program of curriculum reform recently introduced in Norway. The reform lowers the age of compulsory school attendance from age 7 to age 6 and provides a compulsory curriculum framework. The framework requires the subject-centered curriculum to be delivered thematically for periods of time dependent on the pupils' age while…

This study deals with a special phase of the education systems of five small nations that have contributed much to the advancement and civilization of mankind. These countries include Denmark, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Finland. They are highly literate peoples accustomed to self-government and capable of carrying it on effectively, a…

Using a simple structure factor analysis of test data of 144 fourth grade children in Norway, second order factors interpreted to represent Broad Visualization, Speediness, Fluid, and Crystallized intelligence intercorrelated substantially, the correlation between Fluid and Crystallized intelligence being the highest. (Author/BW)

Uses descriptions of two local rural schools to illustrate the problems of developing and legitimizing a general education program in the culturally varied Saami area of Norway. Notes that Saami educational problems include content determination, curriculum organization, materials, and culture conflicts, and are influenced by ethnicity, society,…

No differences in the development of reading and spelling were found between 103 Norwegian children learning print-script as their initial handwriting style and 104 Norwegian students who learned disjointed cursive letters initially. The longitudinal study extended from first to fifth grade. (SLD)

Studied relationships among achievement, self-concept, and motivation in mathematics and language arts in a longitudinal two-wave, three-variable panel study involving three cohorts of Norwegian elementary school students (n=1,005). In all cohorts, results were consistent with a skill-development model of the achievement/self-concept relationship.…

Investigated whether risk factors identified in international studies differentiate among at-risk Norwegian school children (fourth graders) receiving social services. Found few socio-demographic differences but that social service clients scored higher on risk and lower on competence variables than cohort group. Compared to parent and teacher…

Discusses sex differences as they appear from a resource-oriented as opposed to a problem-oriented perspective. A study examined a sample of 10- and 13-year olds, collecting data from the children, their parents, and teachers in questionnaire form. Results portrayed girls as competence "winners," while boys became more visible than girls…

Three articles on the use of new technologies in education focus on (1) Digital Video Interactive (DVI) Technology and its value in designing and developing educational materials for children; (2) problem solving with computers by using functions; and (3) new information technology and educational change in Norway. (LRW)