Social and moral development, like intellectual development, is a process by which learners actively construct meaning. Conventional character education, based on behaviorism, conservatism, and religious dogma, assumes that values can be asserted into passive receptacles. To help children develop the capacity for moral deliberation when called…

Understanding why this hidden minority of adolescents is at a high risk for suicide is important in developing and implementing interventions through a developmental guidance program. Statistical profiles of gay, lesbian, and bisexual students are presented. Suicide risk factors are discussed and preventive and responsive interventions are…

A semistructured interview was used with ten adolescent coresearchers who were participants in a gay and lesbian organization. Beginning with a process of "epoche," personal biases were released. Interviews were analyzed to uncover common concerns. Textural description was followed by deeper structural description. Implications for…

Counselors must become active participants in the practice of full inclusion of children with disabilities into classrooms with nondisabled youngsters. Full inclusion is distinguished from mainstreaming; successful models are reviewed. Topics of collaboration and consultation among counselors and teachers, building social adjustment, and…

The author of "In the Shelter of Each Other" addresses how to remedy lack of community that is disorienting families. Parents work too many hours. Adults are spending too much time with TV and computers, voting down bond issues, and providing less communal space for children. Parents need to be convinced that creating community…

Describes a multifaceted program established in response to the complex psychological and social needs of immigrant children. The program is based in an elementary public school in a joint partnership with a graduate school of social work. Program focuses on Latino immigrant children, although the principles of the program are sufficiently generic…

A review of six journal articles on the psychological and psychosocial development of children with hearing impairments indicates that while all suggest that children are at-risk in their psychological and psychosocial development, the articles must be interpreted with great caution since they are based on small study populations. (Contains…

This study investigated the duration, frequency, and trajectory of passive behavior in 14 children (developmental age 1-3) with Down syndrome and 14 controls over a 47-minute independent play session. Subjects exhibited more time in passive behavior and for some, passivity increased commensurate with time spent in the play session. (Contains…

This article reports descriptive information on the relationship between social competence and amount and type of peer interaction for nine adolescents with mental retardation attending a regular high school. Results found individual differences in patterns of peer interaction with a tendency toward more frequent interaction with peers with mental…

Research on the effects of home computer use on children's development indicates that: computer access increases total time spent with the television or computer rather than other activities; computer games can build computer literacy; home computer use slightly increases academic performance; increased Internet use may increase loneliness and…

Traces the Montessori view of adolescent social development and provides illustrations in short-term rural life with 12- to 14-year olds. Provides clear signs pointing to Erdkinder based on the theory that adolescents are in the midst of a social transformation and they want to be treated with respect. (MOK)

An innovative intergenerational program in Miami-Dade County (Florida) Public Schools trains adolescents to teach senior citizens about fire safety at an adult education center. Kids enjoy their relationships with "second grandparents" while imparting valuable information and translating safety checklists into Spanish. (MLH)

Second-order mental state attribution in 22 children (ages 8-17) with Williams syndrome, 14 with Prader Willi syndrome, and 13 with nonspecific retardation. Participants were given two trials of a second-order reasoning task. No significant differences between children with Williams syndrome and the others were found. (Contains references.)…

Assessed the role of maternal affect mirroring on development of prosocial behaviors and social expectancies in 2- to 3-month-olds. Found that infants whose mothers ranked high on affect mirroring (attention maintenance, sensitivity, responsiveness) ranked high on prosocial behaviors and social expectancy, whereas infants whose mothers ranked low…

Presents annotations of articles, commentaries, and publications that emphasize the importance of communication and the role of the study of communication in contemporary life. Discusses six emergent themes. Concludes that communication education develops the whole person, improves the work of education, advances the interests of society, bridges…