"Positive Action," a K-12 program, aims to promote character development, academic achievement, and social-emotional skills and to reduce disruptive and problem behavior. The program is based on the philosophy that you feel good about yourself when you think and do positive actions, and there is always a positive way to do everything.…

The author believes that an aspect of human behavior being glossed over in psychological studies is the superb, beautiful person. He defines this individual as being: (1) free of abnormalities, (2) basically normal, well balanced, and mentally healthy, and (3) possessed of a unique group of characteristics which establish his being out of the…

Examines the problems and needs of the estimated seven million children who are growing up in alcoholic home environments--and the implications for professionals involved with young children. (HOD)

Teachers need to become more aware of problems facing the shy/quiet child. This article defines shyness and examines its significance, harms, and causal effects. In treating shyness, it is helpful to offer oral communication classes for teacher and student, provide specialized, voluntary treatment, and encourage oral communication classroom…

Research supported in part by VRA grant 2569-P.

This study represents further work into the area of what specific processes determine whether a sibling relationship will be positive or negative. Specifically addressed was the influence of each child's personality or temperament in shaping the quality and type of sibling relationship. Significant attention was paid to analyzing sibling…

Workshops on child development explored the cognitive development of children, mass media and its effects on children, parenting, the emotional and personality development of children, and educating the exceptional child, including the gifted. The discussion of cognitive development focused on the need to collect information about cognitive…

An outline for Piaget-based early childhood education curricula is presented. Long term objectives of the curriculum are the facilitation of moral and social growth, and intellectual development leading to formal operational functioning. Education is seen as a process that encourages creative and critical thinking. Short-term objectives are listed…

Based upon the view that character development is not by and large the result of special lessons, but is rather embedded in and the product of the child's growth, this book focuses on how the intimacy of the ordinary day stimulates and enhances the child's potential for morality, devotion, and idealism. The book identifies general themes in the…

Noting that parenting a toddler can be both exhilarating and frustrating, this book draws on lifelong research into children's emotional development to provide parents with a better understanding of toddlers' emotional range and how it affects toddler behavior. The 10 chapters and the conclusion cover the following areas: (1) the emotional…

This book provides strategies for using what is known about gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals in a college student affairs setting. These chapters are included: (1) "The Development of Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Identities" (Heidi Levine and Nancy J. Evans); (2) "Using Psychosocial Development Theories To Understand and Work…

Human beings are a delicate balance of mind, body, and spirit, so an imbalance in one domain affects all others. The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects that physical fitness may have on such human characteristics as personality and behavior. A review of the literature reveals that physical fitness is related to, and can affect,…

The author contends that families are uniquely constituted to bestow the gifts of caring, courage, and problem solving ability upon children. Clinical and epistemological insights as well as research evidence concerning child development and family relationships are presented as sources of information which will aid families to bestow these gifts.…

It is suggested that greater attention be given to psychological development assessment in the selection of students for cross-cultural exchange programs. To date little effort has been made to evaluate such program objectives as: (1) fostering international understanding, and (2) attainment of educational experiences not available domestically.…

Reviews current theories of humor development, discusses the interaction of humor with other developmental areas (including cognitive development, personality development, creativity, and moral development), and suggests ways in which research can be applied in the early childhood classroom. (Author/DST)