Restricted classification and similarity rating tasks employing the dimensions of line length and density were used to investigate several issues. One of these was developmental differences in the overall separability of those dimensions. The contribution of perceptual limitation and strategic factors to levels of dimensional responding and to developmental changes in that responding were also investigated. Finally, changes in levels of dimensional responding across trials with simuli and the contribution of those changes to observed developmental differences were studied. Adults (college students) gave more dimensional responses than did children (4 to 6 year olds) and tended to give more dimensional classifications than other type of response.

Studies have shown that human infants can integrate the multisensory attributes of their world and, thus, have coherent perceptual experiences. Multisensory attributes can either specify non-arbitrary (e.g., amodal stimulus/event properties and typical relations) or arbitrary properties (e.g., visuospatial height and pitch). The goal of the current study was to expand on Walker et al.'s (2010) finding that 4-month-old infants looked longer at rising/falling objects when accompanied by rising/falling pitch than when accompanied by falling/rising pitch. We did so by conducting two experiments. In Experiment 1, our procedure matched Walker et al.'s (2010) single screen presentation while in Experiment 2 we used a multisensory paired-preference procedure. Additionally, we examined infants' responsiveness to these synesthetic-like events at multiple ages throughout development (four, six, and 12 months of age). ... In sum, our findings indicate that the ability to match changing visuospatial height with rising/falling pitch does not emerge until the end of the first year of life and throw into doubt Walker et al.'s (2010) claim that 4-month-old infants perceive audiovisual synesthetic relations in a manner similar to adults. / by Nicholas Minar. / Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2013. / Includes bibliography. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / System requirements: Adobe Reader.

Our everyday world consists of people and objects that are usually specified by dynamic and concurrent auditory and visual attributes, which is known to increase perceptual salience and, therefore, facilitate learning and discrimination in infancy. Interestingly, early experience with faces and vocalizations has two seemingly opposite effects during the first year of life, 1) it enables infants to gradually acquire perceptual expertise for the faces and vocalizations of their own race and, 2) it narrows their ability to discriminate the faces of other-race faces (Kelly et al., 2007). It is not known whether multisensory redundancy might help older infants overcome the other-race effect reported in previous studies. The current project investigated infant discrimination of dynamic and vocalizing other-race faces in younger and older infants using habituation and eye-tracking methodologies. Experiment 1 examined 4-6 and 10-12-month-old infants' ability to discriminate either a native or non-native face articulating the syllable /a/. Results showed that both the 4-6- and the 10-12-month-olds successfully discriminated the faces,regardless of whether they were same- or other-race faces. Experiment 2 investigated the contribution of auditory speech cues by repeating Experiment 1 but in silence. Results showed that only the 10-12-month-olds tested with native-race faces successfully discriminated them. Experiment 3 investigated whether it was speech per se or sound in general that facilitated discrimination of the other-race faces in Experiment 1 by presenting a synchronous, computer-generated "boing" sound instead of audible speech cues. Results indicated that the 4-6-month olds discriminated both types of faces but that 10-12-month-olds only discriminated own-race faces. These results indicate that auditory cues, along with dynamic visual cues, can help infants overcome the effects of previously reported narrowing and facilitate discrimination of other-race static, silent faces. Critically, our results show that older infants can overcome the other race-effect when dynamic faces are accompanied by speech but not when they are accompanied by non- speech cues. Overall, a generalized auditory facilitation effect was found as a result of multisensory speech. Moreover, our findings suggest that infants' ability to process other- race faces following perceptual narrowing is more plastic than previously thought. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2015. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

The purpose of this study is to determine the relation of achievement to two different methods of providing for individual differences. Achievement means educational growth or achievement in subject matter and personality development. The two methods are the qualitative, that is, the degree of difficulty of the work assigned, and the quantitative, which means the amount of work done or the minimum-maximum assignment.

The over-all purpose of this study is to determine the ways in which children differ from one another as related to the instructional program in the school, to point out ways of taking care of individual differences in the learning situations in the classroom, and to apply these principles to the teaching and learning of arithmetic in the higher grades at the elementary level.

Problem solving and strategy adaptation was assessed in 47 children ranging from 36 to 67 months. This was evaluated through problem sets in which participants were given tools that failed to reach given goal states, and then instructed to select appropriate tools in order to reach desired results. Analyses revealed that when participants were given a choice of tools to solve a given problem, they were more likely to select a correct tool when options were similar in function and appearance. Additionally, participants were more likely to verbalize the need for a new tool when there was a lack of novel tool choices. However, the presence of a novel tool choice was linked to longer problem solving time. Findings are congruent with literature that suggests children possess the ability to select tools based on functional, not superficial, qualities, and can be easily distracted by the presence of novel stimuli. / by Allison Weinstein. / Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2012. / Includes bibliography. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / System requirements: Adobe Reader.

Abstract The purpose of this work is to contribute knowledge about the transition of children from preschool to preschool classes. The experiences of pedagogical staff, parents and children are described, based on four deepening questions. The questions are about what the actors experience as positive and what the difficulties were in the transition process, and they also cover the differences of children and collaboration between actors. The method consists of qualitative interviews with parents, children, and pedagogical staff. The interviews concern the experiences of transition from the different actors. The results show the importance of a solid transition plan, the emphasis on good first contact between pedagogical staff and children, and a good parent-teacher relationship. Meetings concerning the handover between parents and pedagogical staff, and the opportunity for children to visit their new school before the school start, are also important factors for a good transition. What is seen as problematic is the lack of time for teachers to visit the children in preschool and preschool classes, difficulties to find suitable times for teacher meetings between preschool and preschool classes and the responsibility of the meetings concerning the handover. Children are different, and adapting the handover to each individual is important. The teachers responsible for the preschool classes need to get information regarding the children from preschool teachers and parents. The conclusions are that work regarding transition is important for parents and children’s security, and that a close cooperation between parents, children, and pedagogical staff is central. This way, experiences, perspectives, and knowledge of the individual child can be shared. Key words: differences of children, preparative work, collaboration, transition from preschool to preschool class. / Sammanfattning Examensarbetets syfte är att bidra med kunskap om processen vid barns övergång från förskola till förskoleklass. Arbetet beskriver erfarenheter hos pedagogisk personal, föräldrar och barn. Fyra frågeställningar har formulerats för att fördjupa syftet. Frågorna handlar om vad aktörerna ser som positivt och problematiskt i övergången, samt barns olikheter och samverkan mellan aktörerna. Metoden i den här studien är kvalitativa intervjuer med föräldrar, barn och pedagogisk personal. Intervjuerna berör de olika aktörernas tankar och erfarenheter av övergången. Resultatet visar att det som är positivt i övergången är en tydlig övergångsplan, bra första kontakt mellan pedagogisk personal och barn samt en trygg föräldra- och lärarrelation. Överlämningssamtal mellan pedagogisk personal och föräldrar och att barnen i förväg får besöka den nya skolan är också viktiga moment i övergången. Det som ses som problematiskt är lärarnas tidsbrist för att besöka barnen i förskola och förskoleklass, mötestider mellan lärare inom förskola och förskoleklass samt ansvaret för överlämningssamtalet. Barn är olika och att anpassa övergången efter individen är viktigt. Lärarna för förskoleklasserna måste få information om barnen från förskola och föräldrar. Slutsatserna är att arbetet i övergången är viktigt för föräldrar och barns trygghet samt att samarbete mellan föräldrar, barn och pedagogisk personal är betydelsefullt. Detta för att lära av varandras verksamheter, erfarenheter, synsätt och framförallt få kunskap om det enskilda barnet. Nyckelord: barns olikheter, förberedande arbete, samverkan, övergången förskola till förskoleklass.

Thesis (MEd.) -- Stellenbosch University, 1993. / Bibliography / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this investigation was to determine the needs and problems of Standard six pupils in schools controlled by the Department of Education and Culture (Administration: House of Representatives) and the extent to which these are being addressed by existing educational structures. The investigatior: consists of two parts, a literature study and an empirical investigation. The literature study consists of an examination of South African and international research relevant to the investigation. An analysis of South African and international school guidance programmes aimed at meeting the needs and solving possible problems is included and an overview is given of the role that the school, both nationally and internationally, can, is and should be playing to meet these needs and help solve these problems. The empirical investigation examined standard six pupils' problems and needs concerning extra-mural activities, relationships with peers and older pupils, teachers and parents and personal adjustment. A questionnaire to determine these needs and problems was administered to a representative random sample of secondary school pupils in the Cape Peninsula. To determine what is being done to address these needs and problems, a second questionnaire was sent to the 58 dual-medium state controlled schools in thE~ Cape Peninsula for standard Six guidance teachers. A third questionnaire was sent to the Department of Education and culture (Administration: House of Representatives) to determine whether the Department agreed that the school guidance programme for Standard six pupils had been adequately applied by the school guidance teachers. Both South African and internati.onal research indicates that many adolescents experience adjustment problems on entering secondary school. Education authorities worldwide address these problems in various ways. In South l~frica, guidance and counselling services are available through elll the education departments, but their effectiveness and implementation need to be clarified because uniform control is not being exercised. The present research showed that most of the secondary schools in the survey do not have an orientation programme to assist pupils to bridge the gap between the primary and the secondary schools. Although this research does not offer conclusive evidence that Standard Six pupils are adversely affected by their present circumstances, the following needs were established: pupils • need to belong, supported by their opinion that extra-mural activities should be compulsory pupils' need for parent~; to be more lnvolved in school activities pupils' need for satisfactory relationships with teachers pupils' need for satisfactory peer relationships. Bas~~ on the~e findings, a number of recommendations have been made. These include: a sound orientation programme and the Careful selection of teachers who are sensitive to the needs of standard six 1Jupils an extra-mural programme where teachers and senior pupils can play a significant role to enhance the formation of constructive social groups and engender a sense of belonging a guidance programme incorporating group work and which teaches coping and problem-solving skills one non-racial education department with equal financing for all pupils and a uniform system of examination and certifica.tion the establishment of "mini-schools" or "middle schools" and the adoption of extended support for pupils to reduce adjustment problems. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie ondersoek was om die behoeftes en probleme van Standerd Ses-Ieerlinge in skole onder die Departement van Onderwys en Kultuur (Administrasie: Huis van Verteenwoordigers) te bepaal asook die mate waarin hierdie behoeftes en probleme deur bestaande onderwysstrukture aangespreek word. Die ondersoek bestaan uit twee dele, 'n literatuurstudie en empiriese ondersoek. Die literatuurstudie bestaan uit 'n ondersoek van relevante suidAfrikaanse en internasionale navorsing. Dit sluit ook in 'n ontleding van beide Suid-Afrikaanse en internasionale skoolvoorligtingsprogramme wat op behoeftebevrediging asook probleemoplossing gemik is. 'n Oorsig word ook gegee van die rol wat die skool, op nasionale asook internasionale vIak, kan, moet en reeds speel om behoeftebevrediging teweeg te bring. Die empiriese ondersoek het standerd Ses-leerlinge se behoeftes en probleme met betrekking tot hul houding jeens die skool, akademiese prestasie, buitemuurse aktiwiteite, verhouding met die portuurgroep en ouer leerlinge, onderwysers en ouers, en persoonlike aanpassing ondersoek. 'n Vraelys om hierdie behoeftes en probleme vas te stel is deur 'n verteenwoordigende ewekansige monster van sekondêre skool leerlinge in die Kaapse Skiereiland ingevul. Om vas te stel wat reeds gedoen word om hierdie behoeftes en probleme aan te spreek, is vraelyste aan standerd Sesvoorligtingonderwysers van die 58 dubbelmedium staatsbeheerde skole in die Kaapse Skiereiland gestuur. 'n Derde vraely- is aan die Departement van Onderwys (Administrasie: Huis van Verteenwoordigers) gestuur met die doel om vas te stel of die skoolvoorligtingsprogram vir standerd sesleerlinge doeltreffend aangewend is deur die skoolvoorligtingsonderwysers. Beide suid-Afrikaanse en internasionale navorsing toon dat baie adolessente aanpassingsprobleme ondervind by toetrede tot die sekondAre skool. Onderwysowerhede wêreldwyd spreek hierdie probleme verskillend aan. In suid-Afrika is voorligtings- en raadgewende dienste deur middel van al die onderwysdepartemente beskikbaar, maar hul effektiwiteit en implementering moet ondersoek word aangesien eenvormige kontrole nie uitgeoefen word nie. Die onderhawige navorsing het getoon dat die meeste sekondere skole in die opname nie oor 'n orienteringsprogram beskik om leerlinge te help om die gaping tussen die primere en die sekondere skool te oorbrug nie. Alhoewel hierdie ondersoek nie afdoende bewys lewer dat Standerd Ses-leerlinge deur hul huidige omstandighede benadeel word nie, is die volgende behoeftes vasgestel: - leerlinge se behoefte om in te skakel, wat ondersteun word deur hul mening dat buitemuurse aktiwiteite verpligtend behoort te wees - leerlinge se behoefte dat ouers meer betrokke moet wees by skoolaktiwiteite - leerlinge se behoefte aan bevredigende verhoudings met hul onderwysers - leerlinge se behoefte aan In bevredigende verhouding met hul portuurgroep. 'n Aantal aanbevelings is op grond van hierdie bevindinge gedoen. Dit sluit in: - 'n goeie orienteringsprogram en die omsigtige seleksie van onderwysers wat sensitief is vir die behoeftes van Standerd Ses-leerlinge - 'n buitemuurseprogram waar onderwysers en senior leerlinge 'n doeltreffende rol kan speel om konstruktiewe sosiale groepe te bevorder sowel as In gevoel van samehorigheid - 'n voorligtingsprogram wat groepwerk insluit en wat lewens-en probleemoplossingsvaardighede onderrig - een nie-rassige onderwysdepartement met gelyke finansiering vir aIle leerlinge asook In uniforme eksamen- en sertifiseringstelsel - die oprig van "miniskole" of "middelskole" en die daarstel van aanvullende ondersteuning vir leerlinge om aanpassingsprobleme te verminder

The mother-child relationship is the first basic relationship with which any human being is confronted. The temperaments of mother and child play an important role in this relationship. The aim of this study is to explore the perception of mothers with regards to temperaments. This study uses a qualitative approach, which is explorative and descriptive, to gain insight into the influence of temperaments in the mother-child relationship. Seven mothers were selected by purposeful sampling to participate in the group work as research process. Group work progresses through the following three phases: awareness, exploration and personalisation. Naive sketches were used to determine the perception of the mothers during the awareness and personalisation phases. A focus group interview was utilised in the exploration phase. Finding showed that the mother-child relationship plays an important role in the optimal development of the child and his or her mother. This study confirmed the importance of understanding temperaments in the mother-child relationship. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Specialisation in Guidance & Counseling)

Educational Studies / M. Ed.