Concludes that the popular "Topsy and Tim" children's books reflect a narrow middle-class White culture, have sexist undertones, are falsely cheerful, use language poorly, and feature poor illustrations; contrasts them with superior books that lead children into maturing thought and development. Lists 20 favorite books for young children. (GT)

Presents a framework for characterizing the emotional impact of day care environments, using pleasure, arousal, and dominance-submissiveness dimensions to predict children's emotional reactions to day care and to separation from their parents, their active involvement in day care, and the extended effects of day care on their cognitive…

Examines the transition in child care from the infant room into the toddler room from the perspectives of the parents, the child, and the caregiver. Suggests strategies for easing the transition by moving the caregivers with the children, moving one caregiver to the toddler room, making transition gradual, and retaining the positive aspects of the…

Considers the need for developing a theoretical framework for therapy in family centers. Examines the contribution of concepts of "emotional containment" and "holding" from parent-infant relationship theories to management and therapy. Explores how workers' anxieties can be managed so reflective practice and therapeutic…

Argues a violent society adversely affects the development of young children, and caregivers must play a healing role in caring for children. Examines how violence affects children's sense of self, a child's relationships with others, and a child's world view. Supports building worthwhile relationships with parents and providing a safe haven. (SD)

Investigates the order in which dispositional and situational information is considered. Results indicate that perceivers are flexible in their inference processes: they are able to draw either dispositional or situational inferences initially. Greater understanding of the mechanisms and determinants of social judgments has important implications…

A study of 370 male and 2,681 female adolescents with a history of sexual abuse found that males were at higher risk than females for poor school performance, delinquent activities, extreme use of alcohol and marijuana, and sexual risk taking. Female victims showed higher risk for suicidal ideation and behavior, frequent use of alcohol, and…

This article examines the psychological needs of a high school student whose best friend was murdered. After describing how one teacher handled the situation, the article offers a school counselor's view and a school psychologist's view of how to handle such a situation. (SM)

This longitudinal study examined change in 220 adolescents' daily range of emotional states between early and late adolescence. Findings showed that emotional states became less positive across early adolescence; this downward change in average emotions ceased in grade 10. The greatest relative instability was during early adolescence; stability…

Explores teen-initiated communication with parents about same-sex attraction, coming out, and adolescent sexuality. Reports the findings of a qualitative study on teen and parent reactions as well as a number of strategies which emerged that may help maintain healthy relationships in the face of developing sexuality. (Author/SD)

Examines family-related factors which affect the psychological adjustment of the child victim of sex abuse. Findings suggest that lower cohesion characterizes families who have a child victim as a member and that a significant positive association exists between the intensity of parent's emotional reaction to the abuse and behavior problems of the…

Describes the common symptoms of stress exhibited by young children including: (1) social or behavioral; (2) physical; (3) emotional; (4) cognitive; and (5) language. Addresses causes of stress, which typically represent change, fear, or loss in children. Offers strategies for easing children's stress including muscle relaxation, deep breathing,…

Questions how musical events educate, examining the debate between emotional and cognitive responses. Compiles arguments from musicoaesthetic and musicotherapeutic discourses. Identifies limitations in each line of reasoning as it explores how the musical experience is located in the self. Suggests a relationship between voice and mood. Offers…

Describes a plan for a professional development program in educational systems design to prepare facilitators in educational change and restructuring efforts. Highlights include roles in the change process; values and criteria for design; change strategies; emotional stages; attitudinal roadblocks; and needed competencies and skills, including…

Suggests that, although stresses in the classroom are unavoidable, they may offer optimal opportunities for effective early childhood education. Such education requires work with the child's feelings and cooperative work with the child's parents. Offers different ideas that can be used by teachers to help young children and their parents to cope…