This paper reports progress in the development of a new Psychosocial Maturity Inventory. The subscales assess Self-reliance, Work Orientation, and Identity--theoretically, aspects of Individual Adequacy; Communication Skills, Knowledge of Major Roles, and Enlightened Trust--conceptualized as aspects of Interpersonal Adequacy; and Social…

This micromonograph, concerned with beginning reading readiness, is one of a series designed to answer for parents questions about their children's reading development. The development of the concept of reading readiness is briefly discussed, and four major factors involved in reading readiness are identified: mental factors, physical factors,…

This brief outline of areas of vocational education important for the educable mentally handicapped notes the following general areas which have implications for curriculum development: (1) psychomotor skills, (2) social development, and (3) community and job-related competencies. Educational needs for vocational training and program development…

This course enables teenagers to examine their present level of achievement of the developmental goals involved in the process of maturing toward adulthood. The factors involved in achieving sexual identity, emotional independence, effective social relationships, a positive self-concept and a personal value system are assessed. The course is not…

Early results from a Montessori nursery program initiated by Toronto, Canada, in 1971, to help inner-city children prepare for formal education indicate that the mothers of the 15 three- and four-year-old children were pleased with the program. Specifically, they felt that the children had increased their verbal skills, preparedness for junior…

Following up on an earlier study which found that blacks and whites differed significantly on a 54-item development scale designed to measure effective individual functioning, or "maturity," this report considers whether the content of the Psychosocial Maturity Scale (PSM) is biased in favor of white children and if this bias invalidates…

This study was concerned with the classroom adjustment of the nursery school child and the role of the teacher as a facilitator of change in adjustment. The first objective was to increase the value of the teacher's social responses of attention and approval in children who seemed to value these responses least, and the second objective was to…

This is a study of how young children gain social competence through pretend play or role playing. Subjects were 38 Caucasian children (19 females, 19 males) who were observed at four ages: 12, 18, 24 and 30 months. The same set of toys, which included a doll, a saucepan, doll bottles, coffee mug, teacup, teaspoon, doll crib, blanket, toy phone…

Introduces research comparing changes in the child rearing practices of employed and nonemployed mothers of four-year-old children. Also discusses the mother's occupational role as it influences the parent's attitudes in child rearing practices. No significant differences were found between the employed and nonemployed mothers on six Child Rearing…

The theoretical and empirical support available for retention and social promotion, specifically for exceptional children, is reviewed. The impact of these procedures on academic performance, self esteem, and social development is discussed. It is concluded that these procedures are not effective interventions for children with school failure.…

Identified persons who actively direct and influence the positive evolution of others by acting upon the environment. Selected individuals on the basis of service to the community and matched them with a comparison group. A comparative analysis indicated differences in education and personality characteristics in the selected "autoevolutionary"…

Ninety-five women (18-26 years of age) from 23 countries were interviewed regarding (1) their preparation for menarche, (2) messages from others at the time of menarche, and (3) their emotional responses to the first period. Mothers were the source of information for most girls. Others' reactions were primarily hygiene-centered. Comparisons with…

A cohort study of 172 high-school leavers, who were followed over a two-year period, found that employment and school continuation were unrelated to self-esteem and depression. Factors influencing the transition process included money and activity problems, internality, stability, and controllability both of attributions about general transition…

Examines the adaptive nature of prolonged human cognitive immaturity through developmental research in metacognition, egocentricity, plasticity, the speed of information processing, and language acquisition. Discusses the consequences of viewing children's immature cognition as adaptive for cognitive development and education. (Author/JB)

Teacher candidates with mature life experiences offer the strongest potential for connecting with at-risk students, and alternative certification can bring them into the classroom. This paper discusses the following: how mature teachers provide needed supports to at-risk students, who comprises this group of teachers, and how mature teachers can…