This case study compared behavior of 6 Level 3 students with severe learning difficulties in a school for pupils with severe learning difficulties with that of six similar students in a mainstream primary school. Observations and teacher interview findings indicated site differences in students' social maturity, student-teacher relationships, and…

Qualitative methods were used to examine the dynamics underlying reported benefits and outcomes of parent education. Findings suggest that the program can lead to significant, transformative learning and enhanced personal empowerment. Group format can provide social support to isolated parents. Overall experience can result in deeper understanding…

This study examined effects of class size (ranging from 20 to 40) on preschoolers' social interaction with peers and teachers in Korea. Findings showed that teachers' behaviors did not differ significantly when their education and training backgrounds were similar. Class size did influence children's peer networks and their play behavior.…

This exploratory study examined effects of literacy- enriched play centers and the emergent literacy of 5-year-old kindergartners. Qualitative analysis indicated that a language or literacy component can be integrated into kindergartners' play activities. Play activities promoted the invented symbols and messages in children's writing. Teachers…

Examined value of construction play scores on Lunzer Five Point Play Scale at 4 years as predictor of later mathematical achievement. At grades 3 and 5, found little significance in relationship between play performance and mathematical achievement. At grade 7 and in high school, each area of construction play and standardized test scores was…

Describes the negative effects of anger and exposure to violence for male children in South Africa. Discusses the need for multiple interventions that are both individual- and environmental-centered. Offers detailed recommendations for effective culturally relevant psychoeducational policy initiatives and optimal anger replacement strategies for…

Used modified Delphi approach to examine whether a consensus could be reached between Taiwanese professors and teachers about desired competencies for kindergarten teachers that could be examined during a simulated teaching performance test. Found that the 2 groups agreed on 17 of 22 competencies and all agreed the 22 competencies could be…

Thirty-eight children with autism were given movement therapy in small groups led by a trained movement therapist. After two months of biweekly sessions, the children spent less time wandering, more time showing on-task behavior, less time showing negative responses to being touched, and less time resisting the teacher than those in the control…

Examined whether preschool quality could be enhanced through competence development in teaching staff simultaneous to organizational changes and financial cutbacks. Tested a model for competence development with an intervention group that took part in a competence development program. Found that the development work led to a higher quality in…

Surveyed 460 southern U.S. adults on their attitudes toward HIV-infected children attending day care, schools, or camp, and who should be informed of child's HIV status. Most rated their knowledge of AIDS as high; almost half felt doctors should allow HIV infected children to attend group activities; and most felt administrators and teachers…

Used focus group discussions to determine child care providers' opinions about the content of training necessary for providing quality care and providers' beliefs about the level of training and education required for child care workers. Examined findings in terms of providers' perceptions of professional worth and the design of educational and…

British trainee teachers identified, from their perspective, the strengths and weaknesses of the National Literacy Strategy, and indicated their concerns for the teaching of literacy in the future. While the teachers generally supported the aims and objectives of the program, they identified areas of concern, including pace of instruction,…

Examined the learning strategies of two children at the extremes of mathematical achievement to determine how those strategies facilitated or hindered their understanding of mathematics. Examined findings in relation to curriculums that often dictate the sequence of learning through which all children will pass without taking into consideration…

Surveyed groups of Chinese, Malay and Tamil families, their use of community languages or mother tongue, and their speaking, reading, and writing proficiency. Found that when parents' community language proficiency in speaking is lower they tend to choose English as preferred language. Children's language confidence affected their language choice.…

Explored preschoolers' emotion regulation skills within a pretend play context using a negatively valenced event designed to elicit a high level of arousal. Found that children's success in continuing pretend play was related to emotion regulation skills in other contexts, whereas their effectiveness at resolving conflict was not. (TJQ)