Describes the Chatham-Savannah Youth Futures Authority (YFA) program designed to help eliminate problems of urban youth, and analyzes the YFA with a focus on problems associated with female-headed, urban, black families. A summary of research is provided followed by a discussion of the conceptual model used as a basis for the program and an…

The purpose of elementary physical education is poorly defined, and the public has low expectations and support for the field. The Developmentally Appropriate Physical Education Practices for Children rating scale emphasizes teaching practices that are appropriate to each student's age and ability. The paper describes use of the scale. (SM)

Much study remains to be done to make cooperative learning achieve its potential as a primary format for teacher achievement of traditional and innovative goals. Commentary by Philip C. Abrami and Bette Chambers criticizes Slavin's position on the underlying mechanisms of cooperative learning. (SLD)

Offers a list of more than 50 books, in picture book and board book format, that are best suited to the developmental needs and interests of infants and preschool children. Books are listed under the following headings: identification of objects, rhythm and rhyme, pattern and repetition, and contrast and opposition. (AEF)

This study investigated potential effects of auditory and other communicative experience on development of visual attention in 80 infants (tested at 9, 12, and 18 months), half deaf and half with deaf mothers. Results indicate that early visual attention is associated with and potentially influenced by a complex interaction of maturation,…

Examines views of early childhood theorists and educators regarding work in the lives of young children. Discusses young children's performance of chores around the world, work opportunities in one U.S. child care center, expanding chore choices in child care and early education settings, developmental issues related to work, and the promotion of…

Addresses "the retardation problem," over-aged students retained in a grade because of failure to make "normal" annual progress. Concentrates on how influences in the 1940s in South Australia refocused attentions on over-aged students changing the substance of educational debate regarding their classroom presence and the…

Examines the relations among reciprocal nominations, reciprocal rejections, and loneliness among children with learning disorders (LD). Reveals that sense of coherence, peer reciprocal rejection, and conception of friendship qualities predicted loneliness. Discusses the examination of intra- and interpersonal variables in understanding loneliness…

Four articles address music and movement in early childhood education: (1) "For the Love of Music--and Children"(Cindy Smith); (2) "Music: The Great Connector" (Thomas Moore); (3) "Learning through Music: The Support of Brain Research" (Elizabeth B. Carlton); and (4) "Music and Movement Bring Together Children of…

Differentiates traditional education, progressive education, constructivism, and the Montessori approach. Examines the role of motivation in constructivism and in Montessori's planes of development. Concludes that Montessorians and constructivists are allies in the struggle to liberate children from conventional educational methods, which blunt…

Extends William James' classification of phenomenalistic reality (PR) and analyzes PR using empirical data available in developmental psychology; focuses on the relation of PR to a human subject; to rational constructions; and to the idea of truth. Concludes that the development of phenomenalistic reality is qualitatively different from the…

Analyzed one-year gains of children with severe disabilities, children with mild/moderate disabilities, and typically-developing children, in segregated or integrated preschools. Found that segregated programs had smaller adult/child ratios and shorter operating hours than integrated programs. Children with severe disabilities in segregated…

Studies French children who had diverse day care experiences to determine whether day care is a risk factor in socio-emotional development. Finds that early day care is associated with increased social competence and not associated with behavioral problems; contradicts a similar U.S. study. Suggests difference may be due to poorer quality U.S. day…

This article uses a developmental model of language (Situational- Discourse-Semantics or SDS), along with a constellation or neuro-network model, to describe the developmental emergence of phonemic awareness. Ten sources of phonemic awareness are profiled along with developmental continuum, providing an integrated view of this complex development.…

Calls for a process-oriented approach to study of categorization in infancy. Maintains that further understanding of infant categorization and its changes with development requires a more direct assessment of infants' category formation. Argues that two research directions will enhance understanding of categorization: (1) contextual variations on…