Fundamental frequency, duration, and amplitude measures were extracted from stressed and unstressed syllables in interword and intraword comparisons. Analysis of target stress patterns revealed no difference between acoustic marking of stress by 6 adults and 22 toddlers. Findings indicate that children generally control these variables to derive…

Reports on research that showed that preformal-operational fourth graders could indeed benefit from classroom writing instruction on the higher-order skill of persuasive writing. (SR)

Examines the parent role as perceived by a parents (n=1,109) of school-age children in New Hampshire. Results reveal that parents describe parent roles using the same characteristics that emerge from the research literature. More importantly, they consider each six parent role characteristics (bonding, discipline, education, protection,…

Studies the segmentation performance of children who had not yet learned to read and students in the early stages of reading using whole word acquisition combined with letter-sound learning. Finds that segmentation ability progressed from phonemes to initial consonants to onset/rime--the reverse order predicted by hierarchical models based on the…

Reviews the history of children's fiction series publishing, examines the childhood reading histories of adult readers who currently read for pleasure, and investigates the reading of series books as an essential stage in the reading development. Also discusses the need for public libraries to be aware of different patron reading levels. (contains…

The interactive model of synchrony in early parent-child relationships has suggested that a mutual and responsive interaction between the child and the caretaker is essential to the child's development of secure attachment, sense of autonomy, and social competence. A lifespan view of development allows the concept of synchrony to be extended to…

Outlines a theory of developmental spelling, evolved from research on children's invented spellings, that can show teachers when best to teach aspects of spelling. Provides examples and several minilessons of the alternative approach to spelling instruction called Word Study, whereby words are examined by sound, by within-word patterns, and by…

Fifteen-year olds have the highest crime rate of any age group in Great Britain. A formal initiation of adolescents into adulthood, such as that of Australian Aboriginal society, may be what is lacking in contemporary society. Examines functions of the Aboriginal initiation as a basis for modern initiations that include challenge, responsibility,…

Examines preschool children's ability for advance planning and mishap prevention or remediation related to familiar events. Indicates that children three to five years old appear to use general event knowledge in constructing verbal plans. However, developmental differences in the quality of plans suggests that the ability of using general…

Data on 52 individuals with and 62 individuals without autism were analyzed to assess developmental aspects of the DSM-III-R (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual III, Revised) diagnostic system. Findings indicate that DSM-III-R criteria are more developmentally oriented and more behaviorally specific than previous criteria, but the diagnostic…

Summarizes researchers' beliefs about cognitive development. Topics include (1) the child as constructive thinker; (2) new research methods; (3) the characterization of children's cognitive development; (4) estimates of children's competence; (5) stages of development; (6) interrelations among developmental skills; (7) mechanisms of development;…

An auditory rhyme detection task was employed to examine orthographic code development in 27 reading-disabled and 27 normally achieving children (ages 7-11 years). It was concluded that children with a reading disability have a lessened ability to automatically access and make available stored lexical information relating to orthography.…

Maintains that most of the claims made by Morrison, Morrison, and Keating do not undermine the data analysis and conclusion of a study reported in a 1988 paper. Discusses (1) evidence concerning a common rate of developmental change; (2) functions that characterize developmental stages; and (3) procedures for estimating parameters. (LB)

Argues for integrating heterodox economic theory into mainstream economics education. Uses the example of an integrated economic program at Dickinson College (Pennsylvania) to illustrate benefits. Describes components and methodology of the program. Sees positive outcomes for students, faculty, and the discipline. Includes course description,…

Adolescents and young adults (n=120) were assessed on their use and understanding of concordant and discordant adverbial conjuncts. Results demonstrated an increasing ability with age to use and understand these words in the written mode, with mastery in usage trailing understanding. Concordant and discordant conjuncts were equally difficult.…