Three experiments used a visual fixation technique to examine whether toddlers interpret speech continuously. Found that 24-month-olds had delayed responses when a competing distractor picture's label overlapped phonetically with the target at onset, but not when the pictures' labels rhymed, showing that children monitored speech stream…

TIMSS (Third International Mathematics and Science Study) is the largest, most ambitious study of comparative education ever attempted. Despite the TIMSS Subject Matter Advisory Committee's best efforts, not all test items truly reflect student math and science achievement. Some items have more than one correct response; some are not grounded in…

The ability to attribute false beliefs by 155 deaf children (ages 5 and 8) grouped by communication mode and parental hearing status was compared to that of 39 hearing children (ages 4 to 6). Effective representational abilities were demonstrated by deaf children of deaf parents, whereas those with hearing parents appeared delayed, with…

Considers the role of cognition in language learning and explores constructivism and Bloom's taxonomy of higher-order thinking skills. Topics include four basic types of computer assisted language learning, cognitive development, and the Internet. Lists pertinent resources, including printed materials, journals, and Web sites. (Contains 90…

Examined preschoolers' understanding that a statement's surface meaning may differ from actual meaning. Found that even 3-year-olds rejected a lie-teller's statement as reflecting his true beliefs and knowledge, indicating basic expression-representation differentiation. Found that most 4- and 5-year-olds and some 3-year-olds knew that a lie may…

Traced developmental changes in automatic and intentional processing of Arabic numerals using numerical-Stroop paradigm in two studies. In numerical comparison task, found that congruent physical sizes facilitated and incongruent sizes interfered with numerical comparison at all ages relative to neutral control. In physical comparison task, found…

Examined whether a detailed analysis of age-related changes in error patterns could reveal the mechanisms underpinning development in short-term memory. Tested developmental changes among 7- to 11-year-olds in their serial recall of lists of 6 letters, finding developmental differences in the patterns of errors. (JPB)

Examined 5- and 6-year-olds' ideas about the functioning of common electrical appliances and properties of electric current. Found that children represented current in a static way, thinking it was included in the appliance, and confounded electric current and water flow, believing external electricity was different from internal. They were…

Kegan's theory consists of five orders of consciousness that represent principles of mental organization affecting the way we think, feel, and relate to ourselves and others. Key concepts and strategies with substantial promise for student affairs practice include coaching, holding environments, and bridge building. (Author/MKA)

This article discusses teaching higher-level thinking skills and concentration to students with disabilities through chess instruction. Guidelines for chess instruction are provided, including: teaching ideas and strategy first rather than specific lines of play, using a variety of instructional modalities, and building in reinforcement for…

Explored young children's motivation for gender-stereotypical preferences, examining cognitive development and understanding theory. Data from research on children in their first year of school and children transitioning into school found an association between gender-stereotypical behavior and attainment of gender constancy, suggesting that…

A study of 33 gifted children (ages 6-12) showed that external indicators of smartness were synthesized with internal factors of feelings and judgments about intelligence. A developmental progress in the children's understanding was found which suggests that age is a factor to consider when discussing giftedness with children. (Author/CR)

Results with 54 pairs of Slovenian students, matched for participation or nonparticipation in intensive sports classes in elementary school, indicate that a combination of flexible organization of academic work and intensive sports classes does not have a negative impact on intellectual, academic, or personality development. (SLD)

Used observations and theory of mind interviews to examine the impact of a program to increase the complexity of shared pretend play in 4-year-olds. Found that the amount and complexity of shared pretense increased for the play training group and performance on theory-of-mind tasks significantly improved for the play training group but not for the…

Describes an exploratory teaching experiment carried out to test the hypothesis that it is feasible to develop a disposition toward more realistic mathematical modeling in pupils. The learning and transfer effects of an experimental class of 10- and 11-year-old students that were compared to the results of two control groups support this…