Uses a cognitive approach to examine whether children's explicit and implicit knowledge about gender, influences the development and maintenance of gender segregation. Addresses the issue of variations in levels of gender segregation. (BAC)

Reports likely questions and criticisms of teachers and parent groups about whole language instruction. Provides responses that may be given by those who feel challenged to defend their practice as whole language teachers. (BAC)

Examines the importance and development of friendships among children. Explains the value of friendships in developing sense of self and social skills. Suggests ways in which parents and teachers can be instrumental in facilitating friendships. (BAC)

Analyzed narrative and logical processes used by children to give meaning and classify empirical objects. Analysis of sociocognitive interaction revealed children change meaning given to objects when they move from an individual situation to a social one. (BAC)

Explores different attempts to specify the supraindividual unit of analysis in terms of which culture's contributions to human development are to be understood. Traces the history and current usage of terms such as practice, activity, situation, and context. (BAC)

Discusses the importance of using letter writing to promote whole-language learning. Suggests ideas and actions, and provides examples of children's literature that uses the letter format, to weave letters and letter writing into the whole-language curriculum. (BAC)

Reviews five books on talk in the classroom; teaching with humor and play; how children talk, write, dance, draw, and sing their understanding of the world; talented teenagers; and life histories of women teachers working for social change. (BAC)

Explores challenges faced by caregivers working with school-age children. Suggests guidance techniques based on understanding of children's emotional, social, physical, and intellectual characteristics. Focuses on appropriate use of environment, group management and problem solving, and development of self-discipline. (BAC)

Emphasizes the critical role of parental input into design and implementation of family involvement programs. Discusses what parents consider meaningful family involvement, which can constitute the foundation for program development. Suggests ways to maintain a parent focus in program decisions. (BAC)

Discusses the importance the outdoor environment in early childhood development programs. Suggests development of special places for direct interaction with the natural world. Concludes with a redefinition of playgrounds by transforming outdoor areas of preschool programs into special learning places. (BAC)

Describes a conversation with a versatile children's artist and writer during a visit to his home on an island off the coast of Maine. Shares his experiences on the power of using and integrating poetry and art in writing. (BAC)

Presents findings concerning the role of symbolic play. Assumes that symbolic play has seven functions in the child's development: cognitive, creative, ordering, stimulative, social, expressive, and substitutive. Considers play as a phenomenon that prepares children's abilities through symbolic play. (BAC)

Surveyed kindergarten and child care workers in Hong Kong on various aspects of training, such as its duration, nature, content, and problems. Found that respondents were dissatisfied with the current training situation and that they felt a need for government intervention. (BAC)

Tested the motivational structure of conformity and independent behavior in children aged three to seven years. Results indicated that independent behavior in the classroom can be enhanced if children's traditional submissive position in interaction with adults is replaced by a position of equal partners. (BAC)

Suggests allowing children to draw on their experiences with doctors and dentists and encouraging pretend play centered around medical settings such as clinics and hospitals. Provides guidelines to involve children's participation in such play, and provides detailed information on setting up appropriate play centers. (BAC)