Investigated effects of day-care quality--in interaction with child and family characteristics--on socioemotional development at 29 months and again at 4 years. Results showed a main effect of day-care quality on expressions of positive emotions. Interactive effects were demonstrated for several of the other indicators of socioemotional…

Relationships were examined between measures of shyness and self-esteem for 53 preschool children. Shyness was negatively related to a self-esteem rating and to a measure of the child's expectations of self-efficacy in performing motor tasks. Continued attention to early shyness in empirical, theoretical, and practical work is suggested. (Author)

Perceives an increase in adult expectations of children's competence and a concomitant narrowing of what is considered normal child behavior. Questions the growing practice of placing children in "transition,""pre-K," and "pre-first" classes, and in pull-out "gifted" programs. Calls for greater acceptance of variety among children. (PAA)

Examines the role of theory in gifted education and argues that the most important educational value should be child-centeredness, with theories serving as ways to understand the gifted child's perspective. However, many theories are seen as focusing overly much on achievement to the detriment of the child's inner life and emotional well-being.…

Explicates the construct of asynchronous development, advocating for its inclusion in planning for and educating gifted students. The paper examines the work of several researchers as it relates to asynchronous development of gifted students. It also discusses social and emotional aspects of vulnerability; socialization versus social development;…

Compared narrative representations from low SES maltreated and nonmaltreated preschoolers. Found that maltreated preschoolers portrayed parents and children as responding less often than did nonmaltreated preschoolers, yet portrayed themselves as stepping into the story more often to relieve children's distress. Abused children portrayed the most…

A study investigated the effect of paternal presence or absence on the social-emotional, language, and academic outcomes of 22 children with hearing impairments (ages 43 to 83 months). Children whose fathers were present had significantly better academic and language outcomes than those without a father present. (Author/CR)

Discusses the need for parents, teachers, and caregivers to promote emotional and mental health in middle school children, explaining the importance of supporting children's strengths and being aware that differences can hurt. Provides specific suggestions on what parents and schools can do and offers resources for further information. (SM)

Sylwester says education must begin relying more on biology than social and behavioral science. All brain systems move from a slow, awkward functional level to a fast, efficient level. Contributions of metacognition, self-regulation, emotions, reflective and reflexive responses, comparison, and classification to cognitive development are…

Assessed preschoolers' peer aggression and emotional displays outside of and during aggressive interactions, their emotion knowledge, and peer acceptance. Found that connections between affective dispositions and aggression and peer acceptance varied as a function of the emotion context and the particular emotion involved. Significant connections…

A comparison of adolescent children of Vietnam combat veterans with non-combat veterans found the majority of outcomes were not significantly different. However, children of combat veterans showed poorer attitudes towards school; more negative attitudes towards their father; experienced more depression, tension, apprehension, and anxiety; and…

Reviews research on the effect of stress hormones, particularly glucocorticoids, on the brain and early development. It describes the psychological and social processes that reduce stress hormone responses to threatening and painful procedures. Research on the cognitive and emotional effects of synthetic glucocorticoids is also discussed.…

Children living with abuse/neglect experience skill and learning deficits that can be remedied when teachers and counselors create learning environments that build confidence and encourage accomplishment. Developmental interventions that help children to view behavior as a choice, to view learning as a process, and to empower themselves with…

Defines the "peaceable classroom" concept, in which children are taught to deal more appropriately with feelings, to solve problems, and to make good decisions. Supplies instructions for classroom lessons to be used with five 12-year-old students. Claims that these lessons can help develop a peaceable classroom environment. (MKA)

Discusses recent brain-research findings relevant for educators: the brain changes physiologically as a result of experience; IQ is not fixed at birth; some abilities are acquired more easily during certain windows of opportunity; and learning is strongly influenced by emotion. Environmental enrichment unmistakably influences the brain's growth…