Introduces this special journal issue by outlining previous research on early peer relationships. Explains that the articles in this issue provide a backdrop for identifying the early precursors of individual patterns of success versus failure with peers. (JS)

Examined the physical and verbal peer conflicts of nine typically developing children and eight children with disabilities in an integrated preschool. Several conflict constructs were examined including goals, oppositions, strategies, outcomes, and the teacher's role in peer conflict. Results suggest the need for active teacher involvement when…

Uses case studies on promoting interaction skills for integrating young children with special needs in nursery schools to examine the link between research methodology and promotion of educational quality. Asserts that the research process can influence interaction strategies and promote effective, reflective practice. Notes that teams need…

Discusses the Regular Education Initiative used to introduce students with mild mental retardation into classes with their peers for academic purposes. Seeks to provide unique alternatives and suggestions for the inclusion of students with mental retardation into groups with their peers. Offers a primary prevention model focusing on group…

This paper reviews research on children's friendships in nursery and elementary school settings. Studies that have implications for educational practice were selected for review. The first part of the paper is concerned with the influence of enduring personal characteristics on peer relations. Some of the stereotypes that affect children's…

Interviews with mothers of preschool age children with established disabilities (n=230) and those classified as at-risk (n=32) were conducted, focusing on issues of children's peer relations and friendships. Mothers of children in both integrated and specialized settings perceived their respective settings as facilitating social development. Both…

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), there has been a dramatic increase in the number of children being diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in the last several years. School nursing interventions need to be developed, implemented, and evaluated to address complexities experienced by this population. The…

The central theme of the booklet is that integration does not just occur naturally as a result of merely placing students of different race or ethnic groups in the same school setting. It occurs by the special efforts of classroom teachers who encourage student friendship formations. The booklet contains a variety of teaching strategies which…

This book describes what makes it so difficult for young people with learning disabilities and attention deficit disorder (ADD) to get along in their world and suggests ways that parents, teachers, and other caregivers can help them with their social as well as their educational problems. Chapters address: (1) the characteristics and social…

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…

Describes a kindergarten activity of dissecting owl pellets as a vehicle for promoting new partnerships and friendships. Argues that pairing children for activities based on gender, varying ethnicities, and differing abilities allows children to break down barriers and gives them experiences with children other than their best friends. (SD)

The purpose of the present study was to examine relations between self-perceptions of competence and social, behavioural, and school adjustment in Brazilian, Canadian, Chinese, and Italian children. Self-perception data were collected through children's self-reports. Information about social behaviours, peer acceptance, and school achievement was…

Most research on the subject of friendship has concentrated on peer acceptance, dyadic properties, and the contribution that friendship makes to development and adjustment. This book explores the role of friendships in a child's social and emotional growth. The articles, based on presentations made at an SRCD (Society for Research in Child…

We examined the effectiveness of the PATHS curriculum in a magnet elementary school serving a distressed urban area. Aspects of social-emotional competence were examined for second graders who had, and had not, received the PATHS intervention. The intervention groups differed, with the control group having lower social-emotional competence than…

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)