Theoretical issues of concern to teachers in early childhood education are discussed in this collection of four papers titled: "Some Generic Principles of Teaching", "Psychological Development and Education in Early Childhood", "Teachers as Consumers of Educational Information", and "Notes on the Distinction between Education and Excitement". The…

This paper presents a review of the literature concerning the infant Apgar scoring system and its relationship to later mental and motor development. Since 1952, the Apgar scoring system has provided a viable means of assessing the infant's immediate postnatal condition. Researchers have demonstrated that while the 1-minute Apgar score is a useful…

This book lists procedures, materials, special problems, and variations for playing 54 games designed to help children use their thinking abilities in play. The games presented were designed primarily for use in school with children aged 5-9. They give practice in such skills as planning, drawing inferences, seeing things from other points of…

It is hypothesized that free, spontaneous interaction cannot be easily attained in language courses which are rigid and mechanical. For this reason, the author urges the development of instructional materials which facilitate a smooth and natural transition from "skill-getting" to "skill-using." Discussion of Jerome Bruner's theory of language…

To replicate the findings of a previous experiment in which it was shown that the systematic presentation of rules and feedback on conservation and conservation-related problems can be employed to teach young children the traditional (Piagetian) liquid quantity problem rapidly, an analysis was made of the role of two others variables: (1) use of…

Review of reversal learning data obtained from Ss of various developmental phases suggested that overtraining increases perseveration in pre-school children, and decrease perseveration in older (e.g., 1st grade) children. The present experiment tested this apparent trend. Children of two age groups (X = 4 yrs., 4 mos., vs. X = 6 yrs., 5 mos.)…

A Piagetian Task Instrument (PTI) consisting of three tasks developed by Piaget was administered to 141 preservice elementary teachers enrolled in a mathematical class, 19 preservice secondary mathematics teachers, and 11 calculus honors students. This instrument was scored by methods similar to those of Schwebel (ED 063 896) and McKinnon and…

Theory and research regarding four levels of concept attainment and three uses of concepts as specified by the conceptual learning and development (CLD) model are described. The strategy and objectives of a longitudinal assessment of children's conceptual learning and development are presented. Perspective is provided regarding the role of the…

Investigated for purposes of comparison with American counterparts were teaching styles used in eight classes in special schools for the educable mentally handicapped (EMH) in the Netherlands. Ss tended to be placed in the special schools earlier than EMH students in the U.S. are placed in special classes. Classes were observed to determine…

The literature review reports research and theory focusing on the following topics: individual intellectual and perceptual characteristics of a child's learning style; an overview of ability and disability areas relative to the learner's specific cognitive processes; the use of standardized tests to evaluate cognitive processes and the usefulness…

This selective bibliography cites recent ERIC documents describing cultural differences and their influence on children's cognitive, social, emotional, and language development. The bibliography is divided into three sections: (1) Cultural Differences; (2) Preschool Education and Day Care; and (3) Elementary Education (contains many social studies…

This paper traces the development of interpersonal skills and characterizes the essential features of social interaction as they change from infancy to adolescence. It is demonstrated that, at each life stage, the quality of social relationships is dependent on the person's capacity for interpersonal closeness, his ability to use language, and his…

This literature review highlights the need for parent intervention programs in the education of their young handicapped children. Supportive research is cited from the following areas: Home-based programs for the disadvantaged; home-based programs for the handicapped; developmental factors in cognitive dysfunction; motivation; and the parent as…

This program, developed for the primary grades, was started in September 1972 with the ultimate goal being the development (sixth-grade students) of citizens knowledgeable and conscientious about environmental concerns. A cadre of specially trained teachers utilized the adapted SCIS materials with emphasis on student planning and involvement,…

Chicanos comprise both the oldest and newest minority in the United States with the largest number being second and third generation. They are characterized by great intra-group diversity along generational, locational, socioeconomic, and acculturational lines. There is also evidence of increasing differentiation in social relations with…