Describes Project Desert Shield, a curriculum that preschool children and teachers at a U.S. military base in Germany developed to embrace and constructively deal with the interests and concerns of the children about Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm through dramatic play. (Author/BB)

Proposes an accepting attitude toward all crying in young children. Notes that crying has been found to be an important and beneficial physiological process that helps children cope with stress. (BB)

Briefly describes the lives of important African-American women, detailing the challenges they faced and how they survived from Sojourner Truth to Alice Walker. Suggests that the strengths and lessons of the lives of these women may shed light on how to help African-American males. (JB)

Special education teachers often feel frustrated because of paperwork overload, unrealistic expectations for pupil progress, perceived lack of success as teachers, ongoing contact with difficult students, and isolation from colleagues. Principals can help these teachers by streamlining paperwork, placing special education classes in the school…

This study of 60 mothers of young children with physical disabilities in Israel failed to support hypothesis that mothers with "internally" focused locus of control would demonstrate greater utilization of their support system. Analysis indicated that mother's age, child's level of functioning, and existence of additional members of…

Among findings of evaluation of the coping strategies of maltreated children (n=152) were that abused children and children both abused and neglected were difficult or compliant in interactions with their mothers, avoidant under stress, and aggressive with siblings; and that neglected children were cooperative in play with the mother, anxious…

Euro-American families (n=102) of young children with developmental delays reported substantial accommodation activity and proactive efforts to sustain a family environment. Accommodation variables included family subsistence and finances, accessibility of services, home and neighborhood safety, domestic workload, child care tasks, child play…

A study of stress, coping, depression, and somatic distress among students (n=69) in a University of Mississippi psychiatry clerkship found clinical levels of depression in almost one-fourth of the group and high levels of somatic distress in over one-half. Coping strategies appeared useful to students, and training in coping is recommended.…

Studied the role of social conditions, Type A behavior, monitoring, blunting, and locus of control in second and fifth graders' methods of coping with everyday stressors. Except for Type A behavior, coping was associated with the predictors. Strongest associations were found for social competence. Predictors were not associated with ratings of…

The case method should be used in both preservice and inservice training for administrators to strengthen training programs and help administrators develop practical human relations skills, learn stress reduction and burnout prevention strategies, learn team-building, and develop critical and reflective thinking skills. (14 references) (MLH)

This study compared fathers of 20 autistic, 20 Down's syndrome, and 20 developmentally normal children on measures of psychosocial adaptation. Groups differed on measures of intrapersonal and family functioning but not on social-ecological variables. There were few differences between fathers of children with autism and those of children with…

A theoretical base is proposed for the current empirical literature on study skills. The proposed compensation model emphasizes the function of study activities as a subclass of cognitive skills aimed at cognitive control that compensates for limitations of the information processing system. A factor analysis confirms five basic structures. (SLD)

Discusses sources of stress in children's lives, noting adults too often trivialize situations children face, judging them by adult criteria. Parents must realize children's fears are real, and create a home that minimizes stressors and encourages openness. Suggestions for ways parents can help stress-proof their children's lives are included. (SM)

A case is discussed in which parents of a disabled child seek counseling for the strain placed on their relationship by child care demands. The importance of understanding each other's perspective on child care and home management is emphasized, along with sharing burdens and maintaining open communication through stressful years. (PB)

Examines how African-American youngsters maintain their self-esteem in spite of some dissonant signals from their environment. By looking at several dimensions of self-esteem simultaneously, attempts to identify weaker links in Black youth self-efficacy. Follows the development of these dimensions relative to age, gender, and academic history. (AF)