Contrasts work of Leontiev and Vygotsky. Suggests that Leontiev concentrated on social activity as a whole, whereas Vygotsky made semiotic mediation through culturally developed symbols a central aspect of his analysis. Maintains that they shared a philosophical base and that Leontiev used Vygotsky's ideas as a starting point to explore human…

Comparison of 52 British managers who completed National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) and 104 with academic management qualifications showed both groups developed similar competence. The academic group was higher in written/numerical ability and the NVQ group was higher in team management. NVQs appear to develop general skills and personal…

Decreasing emphasis on the environment in outdoor and adventure education is resulting in ecologically less knowledgeable participants. It is critical that the environment continue to be part of these programs for three reasons: citizenship and stewardship; empathy and counterbalancing a narcissistic focus on thrills; and opportunities to get in…

A study examining the impacts of camp on staff interviewed 29 former seasonal camp staff. All respondents reported positive benefits in their personal and professional lives and the strong influence of camp in shaping career choices. Reflections on camp fell into three categories: uniqueness of camp, making memories for kids, and freedom. (TD)

Outdoor behavioral healthcare (OBH), using wilderness therapy and related outdoor programming, is an emerging treatment for adolescents with behavioral, psychological, and substance abuse disorders. A literature review examining OBH outcomes related to self-concept, interpersonal skills, substance abuse, criminal recidivism, and behavioral and…

Describes the threat social violence and abuse pose to the psychological and religious development of young people. Discusses strategies aimed at restoring young people's sense of safety and hope by citing seven themes for successful resilience, coping, and developmental assets that a community can control. (CMK)

Reviews theories of adult learning over the lifespan grounded in anthroposophy, the philosophy of Rudolf Steiner's Waldorf Schools. Examines parenting as a vocation through this perspective and the implications for the learning needs of parents. (Contains 35 references.) (SK)

Working in a special needs camp does not require extra-human qualities, it's a matter of changing attitudes. Working with special needs campers presents unique challenges, especially for international staff, but the rewards are proportional to the risks. Working with special needs children is also an opportunity to gain valuable life experiences…

Summarizes the most important results of two international studies, the Educational Careers and Psychosocial Development in Youth (ECPDY) and the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). Addresses the problems of measuring school achievement and determining social behavior and other attributes. (CMK)

Identifies developmental literacy characteristics of 3 age groups: 18-36 months, 4-5 years, and 6-8 years. Provides lists of developmentally appropriate books in Spanish. These include bibliographies and summaries meant to assist the teacher in promoting cultural diversity among students. (DG)

The study, with 47 mothers and their young children with handicaps, found that personal and family well-being, and to a lesser extent social support, were significantly related to child behavior characteristics, and that well-being and child behavior characteristics were significantly related to child progress. (Author/DB)

Developmental Record protocols were obtained from archival files for 1,069 institutionalized mentally retarded adults and children. Analyses revealed high internal reliabilities, but questionable validity. The Developmental Record did not adequately discriminate the five areas of functioning it purportedly assesses (self-care, perceptual-motor,…

Lifelong education, particularly personal development activities, as a sanctioned undertaking of universities is controversial. However, commonalities between the goals of universities and lifelong learners make colleges an ideal place to provide intellectual enrichment to adults through informal learning. Continuing educators can help strengthen…

Discusses five ways in which counseling psychologists use testing to help people work with their problems: (1) as a method of enhancing short-term therapy; (2) as an aid to focusing on developmental issues; (3) as an aid to problem solving; (4) as an aid in decision making; and (5) in psychoeducational methods. (Author/TE)

Provides a rationale for the significance of the study of early feeding and delineates major issues that require investigation. Includes a list of acquisition processes implicated in the development of food acceptance patterns. (RH)