This research review adopts a developmental perspective to the problem of gifted underachievement. It covers affective development characteristics, focusing on self-concept, locus of control, and personality and temperament; environmental influences such as family and school; and strategies for holistic development through a combination of direct…

Attitudes of 60 nonretarded fourth graders toward mildly mentally retarded people were examined. Listening to a story about a mildly mentally retarded boy led to more favorable attitudes on a social distance measure; only students who were asked focusing questions before the story reported more favorable attitudes on an integration-segregation…

Key developmental tasks of adolescence and the unique problems that face the learning-disabled adolescent are outlined, focusing on the role of social competency and communication effectiveness. Components of a comprehensive social competency training program include the nature of the learning disability, the affective-defensive pattern, adaptive…

Argues that while the cognitive area in early childhood programs has been the focus of extensive research, socialization is still often assumed to be enhanced by the mere presence of other children. Assessment, evaluation, and planning by teachers is encouraged through testing and information gathered about the child, his/her peers and siblings,…

Unprecedented attention has gone to researching young voters, and yet one segment of this age group has been largely ignored: non-college (or "working") youth. Because very little is known about them, the following paper advances three fundamental concerns: What types of political activities do young workers engage in? What can be learned about…

This monograph from the Center for Child Well-Being, looks at children's well-being holistically, integrating physical, cognitive, and social-emotional dimensions. The monograph begins by identifying elements of child well-being and then reviews the literature on well-being, describing foundational elements in physical, social-emotional, and…

This book discusses the prevention of problems and the promotion of success for school children today. Chapters include: (1) "Preventing Aggression and Violence" (George G. Bear, Carolyn Webster-Stratton, Michael J. Furlong, and Sabrina Rhee); (2) "Promoting Social and Emotional Competence in Children" (Joseph E. Zins, Maurice J. Elias, Mark T.…

Noting that much of the early research on the effects of all-day kindergarten had serious problems with internal and external validity due to inadequate methodological standards, this Spanish-language digest reviews research conducted in the 1990s. The digest discusses the academic, social, and behavioral effects of all-day kindergarten, as well…

Based on a three-year study funded by the Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools (OSDFS) in the U.S. Department of Education, "Safe and Sound" is a comprehensive and inclusive guide for social and emotional learning (SEL) programming. The guide provides a road map for schools and districts that are launching or adding social, emotional,…

A growing body of scientific evidence demonstrates that emotional development begins early in life and is closely connected with the emergence of cognitive, language and social skills. Early emotional development lays the foundation for later academic performance, mental health, and the capacity to form successful relationships. Despite this…

Over 530,000 children are in foster care in the United States. These children live in a variety of settings, including non-relative foster homes, the homes of relatives, and group homes. This research brief offers a national portrait of children who had been in foster care for one year. The National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being…

Students will benefit from this unique preschool framework that integrates individually appropriate practices, literacy activities, play, and explicit instruction into content area lessons. Included are chapters on Oral language development; Phonological awareness; Early reading and writing; Print concepts; Instruction in content areas; and…

This paper examines resiliency and how it can be fostered through experiential programs. Resiliency is defined as the capacity to spring back, rebound, successfully adapt in the face of adversity, and develop social competence despite exposure to severe stress. A summary of research findings concerning resiliency presents the characteristics of…

This longitudinal study examined the associations between awareness of liking by peers and sociometric status to children's sociometric decisions and dyadic friendship choices. Subjects, 155 children in grades 1, 2 and 3, completed traditional sociometric nominations and sociometric ratings, and were asked to evaluate the nominations and ratings…

Much of the early research on the effects of all day kindergarten had serious problems with internal and external validity due to inadequate methodological standards. This digest reviews research conducted in the 1990s. The digest discusses the academic, social, and behavioral effects of all-day kindergarten, as well as parents' and teachers'…