To test whether the critical language learning period applies to second languages, the English proficiency was studied of 46 Asians varying in age at which they moved to America. Results on a grammaticality judgment task support the hypothesis; early arrivals were significantly superior to later arrivals in English proficiency. (TJH)

Secondary geometry students were tested for van Hiele level of thinking, geometry knowledge and achievement, and proof-writing achievement. Proof-writing achievement correlated significantly with van Hiele level entering geometry knowledge and geometry achievement. The predictive validity of the van Hiele model was supported. (Author/DC)

Results indicated a fairly consistent relationship between Home Observation for Measurement of Environment (HOME) scores and children's developmental status in spite of the fact that there were some ethnic and social status differences in the relationship. Measures of specific aspects of the child's home environment were more strongly related to…

An overview is presented of common causes of vision loss in young children and the impact of a visual impairment on development and learning. The article also discusses the role of the family and team members in meeting the intervention needs as well as issues affecting delivery of early intervention services. (Author/DB)

Studied play development in 35 Down syndrome and 41 nonhandicapped young children during the transition from sensorimotor to representational functioning. During the transition, children with Down syndrome developed in a manner similar to that of nonhandicapped children, but at a slower pace. (RJC)

A program was developed to increase teachers' and caregivers' understanding of the characteristics of young gifted children, and to provide an overview of brain development and function. The program used a variety of techniques, including yoga, guided visualization, creativity and flexible thinking skills, story writing, and kinesiology, to…

Examines American Sign Language (ASL) in the context of the orality/literacy debate and issues of language and cognition. Posits that ASL is a natural language independent of English, and asserts that examining other modes of language use can illuminate the nature of discourse in both oral and written forms. (MM)

Discusses humor development in children and other factors that influence children's interpretation and enjoyment of literary humor. These factors include the child's cognitive and linguistic stage of development, the object of humor, sex differences, and past experiences. (BB)

Describes learning that takes place during children's play. Scenarios involve a 15-month-old who tries to work keys into a sideboard, a 2 1/2-year-old who takes a truck from other children, and a 4-year-old who plays with blocks with other children. (RJC)

Assessed the intelligence, attachment security, and dependency of 30 18-month-olds. Half of the infants' mothers were employed full time and half were nonemployed mothers. Studied were factors in mothers' lives such as stress, marital relationship, social contacts, and supports. Results suggest that different models to predict infant outcome in…

Sees handicapped students as responsive to and appreciative of counseling assistance, noting these students share basic ambitions and dreams of nonhandicapped peers. Recommends school counselors can use cognitive counseling principles in a systematic fashion to help students begin to learn cognitive strategies and rational beliefs resulting in a…

This study of 114 children between seven and nine years used a procedure for directly observing child-produced and experimenter-produced strategies to examine the transitional period of strategy development. Findings revealed gradual changes in children's ability to produce, and to benefit from, a strategy of selective attention. (RH)

Energy education must be integrated into the dynamics of our rapidly changing society. The use and interaction of the cognitive and affective areas in the development of energy education programs should be emphasized. If these programs are implemented, they may contribute to a more knowledgeable and socially conscious society. (BJV)

The study of affect comprehension in 15 children with pervasive developmental disorders (ages 7-10) and normal children matched for mental age found that the disabled children were impaired on affect matching compared to the controls and were impaired on face and affect matching relative to their own performance on object matching. (Author/DB)

Comparison of results obtained for 62 normally developing preschool children on the Bracken Basic Concept Scale, the Preschool Language Scale, and the Slosson Intelligence Test revealed low to moderate correlations between the three tests. Results suggest the tests do not measure the same abilities and thus cannot be used interchangeably. (DB)