This book brings a philosophical perspective to the topic of children's thinking. It attempts to answer the questions of what it is to think and understand, and how children do so. The book provides an introduction to the philosophy of education as it relates to children's understanding, and is careful not to assume any previous philosophical…

During the past 20 years, much has been written on the ethnic/racial identity development of adults. Recently, attention toward adolescents' ethnic identity development has increased; to explicate this new research, a model of ethnic identity development proposed by Phinney (1989) is explored here. The model classifies adolescents into one of four…

Noting that early adolescence is a time of tremendous growth and change for both youth and their families, this booklet, the second in a series prepared for parents/guardians of children ages 10-15, is intended to help parents adapt to these changes. The booklet describes typical behavior of preadolescents and offers advice to parents on…

This book is intended to help preservice and inservice teachers, parents, and other caregivers of young children to be aware of and supportive of children's literacy knowledge as it grows and changes in the years from birth through early elementary school. It provides a guide to the long continuum of literacy growth, from the very beginning years,…

This paper introduces a framework for conceptualizing a system of care for children and youth with severe emotional or behavioral disorders built on a child development perspective. The approach focuses on developmental transitions which all children and youth experience. Such transitions include entry into school, negotiating the challenges…

This booklet from the Alaska Department of Education describes stages in babies' and young children's growth and development and suggests ways parents can support their children's development process. The information is divided into the following age ranges: (1) prenatal; (2) birth to 4 weeks; (3) 1 to 3 months; (4) 3 to 6 months; (5) 6 to 9…

This book represents the proceedings of the Conference on Advancing Research on Developmental Plasticity: Integrating Behavioral Science and the Neuroscience of Mental Health. The conference featured scientific presentations from many leading scientists in behavioral sciences, neuroscience and psychiatry, as well as a poster session for newer…

This is one of a series of reports that document the formative research that supported the development of the "First Steps" program designed to improve the literacy and numeracy of primary school students in Western Australia, particularly those considered at-risk. The four themes of First Steps (reading, writing, spelling, and oral…

Research was undertaken to determine whether a profile using logical reasoning ability, attitude toward mathematics, and grade point average would distinguish between concrete and formal operational thinking in preservice teachers. Study results provided evidence that preservice elementary and secondary teachers were functioning at different…

Brain research indicates that sensory-motor experiences during childrens' preschool and early school years may be the foundation for later language development. (MLF)

Discusses adolescent depression, suicide and parasuicidal behavior and suggests that these behaviors appear in a predetermined sequence. Uses a developmental perspective to weave together two patterns: identity formation, and a three-phase process of adolescent maturation specific to each individual. Attempts to integrate clinical findings and…

The validity of Lawrence Kohlberg's empirical findings and of his cognitive developmental approach to understanding moral development is questioned. An alternative theory of moral development which emphasizes moral sensibility as well as reasoned moral judgment is proposed. (PP)

The views of Jean Piaget and Rudolf Steiner concerning children's stages of development are compared and related to present-day instructional practices used in the Waldorf schools, which employ Steiner's ideas. Educational principles and practices used at the elementary school level are discussed. (PP)

Jean Piaget's theories about children's cognitive development are applied to the evaluation of childhood psychosis. Problems with the testing of such children are described, and results of a research project that used the Piaget-inspired Uzgiris and Hunt Ordinal Scales of Psychological Development to assess autistic children's cognitive processes…

Sex education programs should be built on sound principles of learning and development and should take advantage of cognitive, behavioral, and social learning theories. Educators should be able to order factual information about sexuality sequentially and to structure learning experiences to meet the student's stage of development. (PP)