Studied the structure and psychometric properties of a self-report measure of adolescents' helping behavior within the family. Factor analyses yielded four internally consistent subscales for the Sibling Helping Scale and five for the Parent Helping Scale, all of which were conceptually related to inventories reflecting family support among…

A review of the literature on writing block looks at two kinds: inability to write in a timely, fluent fashion, and reluctance by academicians to assist others in writing. Obstacles to fluent writing are outlined, four historical trends in treating blocks are discussed, and implications are examined. (MSE)

Marian Matthews' article in the October 1992 issue of "Educational Leadership" reports that many gifted students are resentful of cooperative learning structures. Cooperative learning is not just a teaching technique but involves learning to respect and appreciate others' differences. Much of Matthews' criticism actually addresses…

This pilot study with eight beginning teachers examined the value of a mentorship program to assist novice special education teachers during their induction year. Results indicated that (1) perceptions of important mentor characteristics changed with training; (2) all novices valued having a mentor; and (3) most mentor-novice pairs met regularly.…

Outlines steps necessary for students to learn how to use one another as resources for doing mathematics, including preparation for group work, fine tuning communication and cooperation skills, and developing helping skills. Includes a "good helper" and "good help receiver" checklist. (Contains 14 references.) (MKR)

This paper contends that the structure of American schools may be pathological; it may work against creating, maintaining, and enhancing caring relations. Caring relations, such as parenting and teaching, require continuity of purpose; school residence; teachers and students; and curriculum. Educators must plan for continuity to create caring…

Presents strategies to help teachers cope with personal tragedy. The workplace offers a valuable social network for sharing with colleagues, administrators, and students. Teachers may find the constant schoolday demands leave little time for worry. Specific coping strategies include asking for help, temporarily changing the curriculum, and…

Draws insights from social sciences for beginning teacher induction: (1) from sociology, adult selection of socializing agent and phases of newcomer behavior; (2) from anthropology, rites of passage; and (3) from psychology, encouraging formal operational thought and beginning new adult psychosocial stages. (SK)

Codependency and its effect on the professional lives of directors of early childhood programs is described. Characteristics of codependent administrators, the need for confrontation of codependent behaviors, and suggested sources of help for codependency are discussed. (LB)

Concern circles provide a comfortable approach to classroom counseling. A first grade teacher describes how she provided a support network to deal with students' emotional concerns. The 15-minute sessions, held each morning, allowed the children to take a more active role in resolving their own conflicts. (SM)

This paper addresses several major ethical issues faced by early intervention home visitors in their helping relationships with clients: maintaining a client focus, client independence, honesty, confidentiality, limits of intervention, and termination. Examples of home visiting dilemmas from two early intervention programs illustrate the issues. A…

Describes a Canadian principal's efforts to deal with a disruptive child suffering from attention-deficit disorder. Staff focused on creating a positive school experience for Tommy after medication failed to mitigate his outbursts. Next fall, there will be an "acting out" room and additional human resources. (MLH)

The utility of "coping congruency" and "average level of couple coping" in explaining adjustment to multiple sclerosis was examined. Interview and questionnaire data was collected for 45 dyads with a 12-month follow-up. Predictors include Time 1 illness, caregiving, and coping variables. Findings support both concepts for…

Research indicating that couples' social support skills predict marital outcomes two years later, above and beyond conflict-management skills, is reported. Successful prevention and treatment programs may need to incorporate support-skills training as well as conflict-management training. Specific techniques are recommended for teaching…

Introduces special issue on peer-led interventions that reflects upon international interest in harnessing the knowledge and skills of young people to current topics of concern. Issue addresses the cultural and social influences on the ways in which society accommodates the concept of providing real opportunities for young people to demonstrate…