Prekindergarten, kindergarten, and first-grade children were asked eight questions to assess their understandings and attitudes about war and peace. An attitude of rejection of war existed at these ages, increasing with age and stronger for females. Implications of this study for peace education curricula are discussed. (Author/DST)

Reviews current theories of humor development, discusses the interaction of humor with other developmental areas (including cognitive development, personality development, creativity, and moral development), and suggests ways in which research can be applied in the early childhood classroom. (Author/DST)

Explores the social correlates of the interpretive abilities of young children to assess televised narratives. Demonstrates negative correlations between amount of television viewed by parents and children's television comprehension, indicating that the more parents viewed television, the worse their children performed on comprehension tests.…

Explored the relationship between teacher gender and the way 720 second-, third-, and fourth-grade students label school-related objects. Results indicated that third- and fourth-grade girls labeled school-related objects as female significantly more than their male classmates labeled objects as masculine. Neither teachers nor grade level…

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,…

Describes how an English Junior School developed a parent involvement program aimed at improving reading. Provides anecdotal accounts of its success as well as a discussion of crucial elements to an effective program. (DT)

Highlights pertinent legislation in England over the past 40 years with regard to children with special education needs. Distinguishes the political relationships between legislation and practice, and policy and delivery, giving particular reference to the role and functions of educational psychologists. (DT)

Differentiates between traditional psychology and community psychology in the movement from the institution into the community, suggesting a more active role in ascertaining potential community stressors. Particular attention is given to models of intervention for under fives and mentally handicapped people. (DT)

Special education schools for children with severe learning difficulties are described in terms of their organizational structure, their functional role within the educational system, and their methods. Argues that psychology has a potentially strong influence in special education and idealizes the inclusion of child development as a legitimate…

Argues that, with the advent of the 1981 Education Act and its focus on the integration of all pupils into mainstream schools, behaviorist teaching methods are beginning to play a central role in meeting special education needs. Applications of objectives-based curriculum development, direct instruction, precision teaching, and individual…

Describes a successful program for teaching preschool handicapped children new skills in their own homes by making their parents more effective teachers. The service delivery model and program design are detailed, and a summary of conference presentations on the Portage Model is included. (DT)

Describes a system of inservice training and support delivered to mainstream day care personnel by the staff of the Social Integration Project. The results of the project's goal to integrate handicapped preschool children into day care programs are measured by the progress of the children served and by teacher attitudes. (Author/DT)

Addresses the tragedy of crib deaths, giving particular attention to causes, prevention, and medical research on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Gives anecdotal accounts of coping strategies used by parents and families of SIDS infants. (DT)

An account of the Barking Reading Project designed to prepare classroom teachers (instead of reading specialists) to respond to children with severe reading difficulties. The subject of a two-year government research study, the project's findings endorse initiatives that promote classroom teacher ability to make good teaching decisions relating to…

Offers caregivers in day care centers broad guidelines for promoting early infant-infant and infant-toddler social interactions. Argues against the common belief that a child is developmentally unsociable before three years of age and advocates engaging him/her in meaningful daily care activities. (DT)