This document consists of 10 monthly newsletter issues, in English- and Spanish-language versions, exploring topics related to early childhood behavior and parenting. Regularly appearing features include book recommendations, "Library Resources,""Preschoolers in the Kitchen,""Kids Crafts,""Research News," and "The Health Corner." Major topics of…

A study was conducted to demonstrate and evaluate instructional procedures for teaching cooperative leisure skill activities to 23 school-age children with severe learning disabilities. The approach of modeling, social reinfocement, and the availability of cooperative type materials (e.g., games) was effective in facilitating cooperative leisure…

Behavior modification techniques that can be used to overcome fears and anxieties of students and to further achievement in second language learning are discussed. The following techniques are covered: systematic desensitization, cognitive restructuring, and modeling and guided participation. (SW)

Videotaped interactions of 98 mother-child dyads (40 with Down syndrome, 23 with neurological problems, and 35 with delays of unknown etiology) were examined for mothers' language facilitation strategies (modeling or eliciting) in two situations (play and teaching). Mothers emphasized modeling strategies more than eliciting techniques. This…

This study drew on survey data from 121 urban middle school students to define features of homework management. Findings indicated that arranging the environment and controlling emotions related systematically to family help with homework. Homework management indices were unrelated to standardized achievement test scores. Findings generated…

A school district established a Total Communication Project to improve consistency in teachers' role modeling of English with deaf students, which was the primary language of the classroom, and American Sign Language (ASL), which was used as an intervention tool. This paper describes the program, its theoretical framework, and procedures for…

Describes how a shared poetry exercise, combining whole language experiences with process writing techniques, motivates remedial readers. Notes that this technique helps remedial readers achieve success in writing, build sight and meaning vocabularies, and improve reading fluency. (MM)

Effects of training in thinking aloud on the development of reading skills were examined for 64 sixth graders in 2 Finnish towns. Trainees adopted five of seven text processing strategies they were taught and were most responsive when the trainer modeled thinking aloud and guided students in the activity. (SLD)

Introduces introductory psychology students to behavioral techniques for reducing anxiety and avoidance behavior through the use of participant modeling. Employs guided participation as a technique to encourage students to touch a snake. Finds this method provides an excellent introduction to behavior therapies and engages students in the learning…

Presents results of an experiment enabling students to develop their own cognitive and metacognitive strategies to promote autonomous learning in mathematical problem solving, knowledge acquisition, and written composition. Explains that students dealt with models of teachers' and classmates' cognitive performances and monitored their own…

Reports on a study designed to establish whether strategies for social problem solving could be taught effectively to early adolescents using interactive video. Three methods were compared for effectiveness and differential effects: interactive video alone; teacher-led instruction with linear video; and teacher-led instruction with no video…

A park ranger describes a program designed to teach preschoolers in a Head Start classroom about bugs, park rangers, and drug awareness. The program was an outgrowth of a vandalism incident at a national park bordering a low-income housing complex. Lesson plans revolve around storybooks with bugs as characters. The program finale brings the…

In a study surveying 410 graduating education majors, respondents reported little opportunity to see technology use modeled in a college classroom setting by university professors or in a student-teaching setting by supervising teachers. Without such modeling, tomorrow's teachers may not be sufficiently prepared to integrate technology into…

Describes art as a symbolic language as implemented in Reggio Emilia, Italy, preschools and adapted in U.S. schools. Considers the beauty of the classroom environment, use of materials and tools, use of observation of the child as the source of the curriculum, child-centered planning, teacher-child interaction to guide development of graphic…

This study used Brookfield's Critical Incident Questionnaire (CIQ) to assess the learning environment and student nurses' perceptions of hospital staff modeling behaviors. CIQs were distributed to Associate Degree female nursing students at United Medical Center in Cheyenne, Wyoming. A large majority (80%) of the 117 respondents identified…