Introduces theme issue on Piagetian constructivist perspective on children's understanding. Summarizes feature articles which argue that teaching should be based on Piaget's theory; and elucidate the development of social and moral understanding, perspective-taking, play, written language, friendship and popularity, and mathematics. Emphasizes the…

Argues that teaching should be based on Piaget's constructivism because it explains the nature of human knowledge; explains children's knowledge construction from birth to adolescence; and informs educators how Piaget's distinction among physical, social, and logicomathematical knowledge changes the way many subjects should be taught. Elementary…

The development of two types of interpersonal understanding, reflecting an increasing ability to take others' perspectives, negotiations, and shared experiences, is examined as a basis for classroom assessment of children's interpersonal understanding. A classroom conflict is used to illustrate how knowledge of this development helps teachers to…

Presents case study of a child trying to represent and understand the water wheel as an example of knowledge construction from the constructivism perspective. Focuses on how his understanding of physical perspective taking advances through conflicts in the use of different media (telling, drawing, paper, clay, or wood model) and how the Reggio…

Examines practice play, symbolic play, games with rules, and constructions and their relation to Piaget's active education, the intentional social process of constructing understanding involving interest, experimentation, and cooperation within the play context. Recommendations for identifying the type of knowledge being constructed (physical,…

Presents case study of one child, Scrap, as he uses play and experimentation within a facilitative classroom environment to resolve conflicts related to written language. Classroom practices are described. Shared journal entries are used to illustrate a conscious awareness of how words are written, morphosyntactic aspects of written discourse, and…

Examines social interaction and friendship within Piaget's theory as factors influencing cognitive development. Through social interaction, children construct knowledge about themselves and others within peer and adult cultures. Peer relationships, characterized by mutuality, help children establish a shared identity and develop friendships,…

Describes how games in elementary school classroom can be used to assess children's mathematical reasoning and provide instruction. Examples of "test questions" to which the teacher already knew the answer and "honest questions" regarding how the student approached the mathematics problems within a game context are given. Games are recommended as…

Summarizes 3 documents and 12 journal articles that discuss programs and classroom efforts in which older students tutor younger children. The programs address literacy and academic subjects including reading, writing, science, and math. (BC)

Believes that educators often indoctrinate children into being passive receivers of learning, and that a communication-based approach to learning, in which teachers model how to be active listeners and also generators of information, is needed. Based on work with kindergartners and second graders, provides examples of valuing children's talking…

Suggests that teachers and social context determine what young children acquire from computer experiences. Provides anecdotes of teachers working with children who are using a computer program to complete a picture puzzle. The computer allowed teachers to present a problem, witness children's cognitive capabilities, listen to their metacognitive…

To help preschoolers with disabilities improve social interaction skills in inclusive classrooms, outlines seven effective practices: (1) systematic arrangement of classroom environment; (2) peer imitation; (3) teacher prompts; (4) group affection activities; (5) positive reinforcement by teachers; (6) peer-mediated interventions; and (7)…

A kindergarten teacher and a language development teacher collaborated in using a thematic literature activity, in which kindergartners focused on a book which was read to them, discussed it, and engaged in related dramatic play; discussed feelings and drew pictures; and recalled earlier sessions of the activity. The kindergarten teacher extended…

Lists activities to encourage children to use language to validate their experiences. The activities provide opportunities for children to write expressively, guide children to read and respond to literature, help children reflect on their own reading and writing, teach children to respond to each other's writing, and integrate drama into literary…

The traditional model of multicultural education views the child as the product of culture. Proposes an alternate model that focuses on the unique set of experiences each child brings to school. The alternate model includes factors (race, culture, gender, and disability) considered in traditional multicultural models plus several additional…