This study tested the predictive links between children's interactions with peers in early elementary school and their social and emotional adjustment at the end of elementary school. A sample of 231 boys starting kindergarten and first grade were observed during this longitudinal study, on three separate occasions: kindergarten and first grade,…

Many children are targets of verbal and physical abuse or social ostracism at some point during their school careers, and a minority are repeatedly victimized by their peers. This volume brings together leading investigators to present the latest psychological research on chronically victimized children and adolescents. The book's introduction…

The purpose of this study is to find out from transfer students exactly what they are afraid of or nervous about when they start over in a new school and examines the implications these anxieties may have for teachers. During the transition, transfer students often suffer social, academic, and emotional distress which can impede their adjustment…

Studied the longitudinal stability of measures of peer acceptance, social status, and social reputation and the role of children's ages relative to classmates during the transition from same-age kindergarten to mixed-age ungraded primary classes. Found that overall peer acceptance and aggressive social reputation were moderately stable. Half of…

Recent research on middle and senior high school students showed a reversal of previous decline in smoking marijuana and using drugs other than marijuana, a decline in students' personal disapproval of marijuana, and a high prevalence of alcohol use. Student reports of peer approval, availability, and use at school of alcohol, marijuana, and other…

Studies the effects of social skills training on four behaviorally disordered male elementary school students. Finds that training effects decreased following training, and that there was no increase in positive responses from peers. Discusses the problems of social skills training in special education classes. (FMW)

A sample of 183 third through sixth grade students were administered the Revised Class Play (RCP). Seven years later, these children and their parents completed a questionnaire measuring the students' behavioral symptoms and social, athletic, and academic competence. The RCP scores were related to adolescent competence and psychopathology. (BC)

Social and personal concomitants of exceptional academic capability in the context of various educational settings were studied, using 143 fifth-, 118 eighth-, and 93 tenth-grade gifted students. Results provide insights into the students' peer relations, social competence, academic self-concept, and attitudes toward school. (TJH)

Examined differences in attraction to same- and other-sex peers as a function of sex, age, individual characteristics, and context in adolescents studied longitudinally from elementary to middle school. Found attraction to aggressive peers and to peers standing out in observable ways increased with age and upon entry to middle school, whereas…

This evaluation report examines effects of integrating 39 students with mental retardation in 5 elementary and 2 middle schools in Madison (Wisconsin) during the 1988-89 school year. Also reported is the integration of 20 students into the high school program. Data used included interviews and questionnaires with 16 general and 9 special education…

The curriculum guide for Project CHANGE (Concepts of Handicaps and Attitudes Need Guidance and Education), designed to improve children's attitudes toward the disabled, presents lesson plans for children in kindergarten through Grade 3 divided into seven curricular units: normal health, senses, acceptance of individual differences, blindness,…

Describes ways in which regular elementary classroom teachers can teach social skills and address classroom relationships to facilitate social integration of mildly handicapped students into the mainstream. Recommends a directive instructions method for correcting students' social skills problems. Notes steps teachers can take to increase the…

Three related studies reflecting three perspectives on children's interpersonal relationships, playground games, and social cognitive skills are reported. Subjects for each of the studies were children enrolled in third and sixth grades at three elementary schools in Cincinnati during the 1979-1980 school year. The first study documents the…

The document contains the curriculum guides for Grades 4, 5, and 6 developed by Project CHANGE (Concepts of Handicaps and Attitudes Need Guidance and Education), a curriculum designed to improve children's attitudes toward the disabled. The curriculum for Grade 4 focuses on acceptance of self and others (handicapped and nonhandicapped), physiology…

IT WAS HYPOTHESIZED THAT FOUR PRIMARY FACTORS SIGNIFICANTLY INTERACT TO AFFECT THE PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN. THESE FACTORS WERE (1) FAMILY BACKGROUND VARIABLES, (2) PARENTAL CHILD-REARING PRACTICE AND ATTITUDE VARIABLES, (3) CHILD PERSONALITY AND SELF-CONCEPT VARIABLES, AND (4) CHILD-PEER RELATIONSHIP VARIABLES. THE PURPOSE OF THIS…