An intervention study investigated effects of maternal behavior on the cognitive and language functioning of economically disadvantaged four-year-olds (N=40) at risk for mental retardation. Mothers who increased inductive, responsive, and complex behavior and mothers who increased only inductive and responsive behavior both effectively increased…

The Instrumental Enrichment (IE) program, a set of structured pencil-and-paper exercises, is designed to modify the cognitive abilities of retarded adolescents over a 2- to 3-year instructional time span. Major concepts and goals of the IE program are discussed. A review of evaluation studies is presented in chart format. (JW)

Considers how children's vocabulary develops in reading contexts. Focuses on the role of independent reading as one of the major factors influencing vocabulary growth. (AEW)

This article focuses on two approaches to teaching reasoning and problem solving. One emphasizes the role of domain-specific knowledge; the other emphasizes general strategic and metacognitive knowledge. Many instructional programs are based on the latter approach. The article concludes that these programs can be strengthened by focusing on domain…

Research has uncovered the underlying processes of reading. Research on three of these processes is reviewed: (1) elucidating a general model of reading; (2) developing word recognition accuracy and efficiency; and (3) improving comprehension through the training of text processing and through enhancement of vocabulary and background knowledge.…

The article points out that the label "cognitive" has been used to designate five substantially different approaches to learning disabilities: information processing, metacognition, genetic epistemology, cognitive behavior modification, and the specific-abilities model. Despite the similar label, the instructional interventions of these approaches…

Examined the accuracy with which children in grades two and four judge their own and their peers' ability. Children showed only modest levels of accuracy in predicting probable performance and judging success at a task for themselves and others. They also showed limited ability to differentiate among attributes. (SKC)

Discusses the problem of mastering terminology, the role of language, and the structure of terminology in biology education. Provides a checklist for the presentation of science terms. Describes complexity of biological terminology and the difficulties often encountered by students. (CW)

Discussion of a study of eight-year-olds' acquisition of English during formal classroom situations notes advantages in introducing linguistic familiarity at an early school age, including beneficial effect upon cognitive growth, prevention of the development of ethnocentric tendencies, and increased motivation to learn a second language.…

Articles on IQ testing are presented: "Opportunity and Intelligence" (Stephen White); "Beyond the IQ: Education and Human Development" (Howard Gardner); "Beyond IQ Testing" (Robert J. Sternberg); "Working Smarter" (Roger J. Peters); "Varieties of Mind" (John L. Doris, Stephen J. Ceci); "Human…

Discusses a variety of storytelling techniques. Emphasizes the importance of children's involvement in the construction and use of storytelling props. Concludes that storytelling helps children develop a positive attitude toward learning and extends their opportunities for literacy development. (RWB)

Discusses how unit building blocks can be used to enhance five major interrelated aspects of child learning, namely, physical, emotional, social, intellectual (cognitive), and intuitive development. Also presents six ways to encourage good block playing among children. (BB)

Defines one approach to problem solving in terms of student use of algorithms to find their solutions and gives examples. Discusses how problems and algorithms relate to each other. Describes strategies for teaching problem solving using algorithms. (CW)

Compared linguistic flexibility of deaf and hearing children aged 8 to 15 by examining relative frequencies of their nonliteral constructions in stories written and signed or spoken. Considered seven types of nonliteral constructions. Results suggest deaf children are more competent linguistically and cognitively than are hearing children. (SKC)

Assesses children's comprehension of "because" and "so" on enactment and sentence completion tasks. Results provide evidence against a componential model for the acquisition of causal connectives. Supported is the position that understanding of relational terms is initially context dependent; linguistic development generates…