Author presented Montessori's concepts of reason, creativity, and freedom, explained their interrelationships, and considered some specific objections that have been raised against her position. (Author/RK)

Teaching child development to teenaged mothers and pregnant school-aged girls can be most effective if it involves the direct participation of the students through workshops and observation of child care techniques. (Author/EC)

An exclusive interview with Jean Piaget on the problems and needs of the elementary school teacher conducted by Eleanor Duckworth. (JA)

Two studies were conducted in multisection introductory child and adolescent development classes to determine effects of introducing abbreviated teaching case studies that were then discussed either in face-to-face or online formats. Students receiving teaching case studies in either format in both classes showed improved ability to critically…

The Robota project constructs a series of multiple-degrees-of-freedom, doll-shaped humanoid robots, whose physical features resemble those of a human baby. The Robota robots have been applied as assistive technologies in behavioral studies with low-functioning children with autism. These studies investigate the potential of using an imitator robot…

Well-informed teachers of young children recognize the importance of children's social development. The development of social skills lays a critical foundation for later academic achievement as well as work-related skills. Social development is such a key issue with young children that a number of methods to address social skills have been…

Article described G. A. M. E., a center which provides in-depth art, media, and museum experiences related to curricula in participating schools. (Author/RK)

Detailed are five music activities designed to instruct handicapped children in such areas as perceptual motor development, attention span and relationships of size.

Strong support from eminent educators such as Froebel and Dewey and other scholars has led to play becoming a major component of early childhood curricula. This paper draws on research studies to: (1) elaborate on the nature of play and its function in children's overall development; (2) discuss how children's play relates to their literacy…

This paper presents a review of behavioristic principles that could be applied to the classroom. Techniques included are: (1) classroom reinforcements; (2) the teacher as a researcher; (3) desensitization. While behaviorism is not the complete answer, it does explain child behavior in terms that teachers should find useful. (Author/KJ)

Outlines a developmental approach to pedagogy for young children. Basically, a developmental approach takes into account those aspects of learning that change with the learner's age and experience. Development is a primary criterion by which to judge appropriateness. A developmental approach considers knowledge, skills, dispositions, and feelings.…

Explores perspectives on assessment suggested by different interpretations of L. Vygotsky's concept of the zone of proximal development (ZPD). One approach considers it possible to measure ZPD as an individual trait with some stability across instructional settings. A second approach suggests that assessment intervenes in the ZPD created by a…

Discusses the need to teach children age-appropriate and effective financial lessons based on developmental theories of social and cognitive learning. Provides recommendations and techniques suggested by experts. (JOW)