A constructionist theory is described that accounts for the knowledge-based inferences that are constructed when readers comprehend narrative text. Distinctive assumptions of the constructionist theory embrace a principle of search (or effort) after meaning. Literature in support of the theory is reviewed. (SLD)

Assesses articles in this special issue on reconceptualizing early childhood education. Maintains articles are based on conception of education in which teachers are not concerned with adopting a canon but with developing sensitivity needed to see children's place in their community and society and to structure classroom activities that encourage…

"Traumatic bonding" is defined as "the evolution of emotional dependency between...a child and an adult [in] a relationship characterized by periodic sexual abuse." Maintains that the concept holds promise for explaining confusing dynamics of incest. Demonstrates ways in which traumatic bonding can be applied to cases of incest…

Waskom's paradigm of human development is based on natural design and mathematical proportion. Its properties encompass purposes of life and learning, natural sense urges and personality traits, characteristics of natural stages of human life, and parenting, teaching, and community support. (SK)

In a study of 6 to 14 year olds' knowledge of illness, younger children used concepts not related to illness when sorting illness-related stimuli. They also used concepts related to behavior, rather than symptoms, when performing tasks involving recognition of illness and causes of illness. Older children believed that symptoms signaled disease.…

Changes in children's understanding of experimentation are examined. Sixteen fifth and sixth graders worked on two experimentation problems consistent with an engineering and science model, respectively. The science model was associated with broader exploration, more selectiveness about evidence interpreted, and greater attention to establishing…

Reviews two major theories of cognitive development based on Perry's Developmental Process and the Wellesley Study, and offers examples and suggestions for their application in academic library instruction. Learning strategies that respond to differences in levels of cognitive abilities are described, and the role of faculty who request…

Traces the relationship between human development and education through various philosophies. Explores differences in early forms of understanding, the goals of education, and the kinds of knowledge that specific fields require. Encourages a form of apprenticeship to provide students with a model for bridging the gap between scholastic and…

Discusses the effects of gender differences in education and employment on the economies of countries worldwide. Stresses some strong points of the monograph reported in this issue, such as the discrimination between cognitive and affective dimensions of sex typing, and suggestions for alleviating sex stereotyping. Suggests that the monograph has…

Found that recent stressful life events were negatively associated with aspects of children's social development. Also found that certain coping styles and family characteristics were more predictive of children's social development than were other coping styles and were more predictive of children's psychosocial adjustment than their cognitive…

Presents study results of how children reason about international trade. Explains that open ended questions were posed to students in grades 1-11 asking why nations trade, the benefits of trade, and their understanding of barriers to trade. Concludes that teaching fundamentals of international trade can be introduced as early as grade six. (DK)

Argues that the capacity for consciousness of self and others arises from developing representational and perceptual activities, especially during play. Examines young children's development of symbolic play, from sensorimotor exploration to representational play through five stages involving gestures of recognition, self-pretend and pretend play,…

Questionnaires assessed preschool teachers' concepts of cognitive development, educational goals for children's cognitive development, and curriculum activities used to foster children's cognitive development. Teachers' goals and activities were more consistent with environmental learning theory than with cognitive development theory or…

Verbal and musical stimuli were presented to infants in a study of the relations of evoked potential left-right amplitude asymmetries to gender and hand preference. There was a relation between asymmetry and hand preference, and for girls, between asymmetry and stimulus condition. Results suggest a gender difference in cerebral hemisphere…

Presents an annotated bibliography on religious development that covers the areas of psychology and religion, measurement of religiousness, religious development during the life cycle, religious experiences, conversion, religion and morality, and images of God. (Author/BB)