Universal school-based social and emotional learning (SEL) interventions seek to improve the social-emotional competencies (e.g. self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, responsible decision-making) of students through explicit instruction in the context of learning environments that are safe, caring, well-managed and participatory. In recent years, SEL has become a dominant orthodoxy in school systems around the world. In this important new book, leading researchers provide a comprehensive overview of the field, including conceptual models of SEL; the assessment of social and emotional competence in children and young people; key issues in the implementation of SEL interventions; the evidence base on the efficacy of SEL in improving students' outcomes; and critical perspectives on the emergence of SEL. It will be essential reading for anyone interested in the role of schools in promoting children's wellbeing. This book was originally published as a special issue of the Cambridge Journal of Education.

In addition to introducing readers to the field of family-based prevention science, Family-Based Prevention Programs for Children and Adolescents highlights the distinctive contributions of a set of exemplary programs in terms of their foundational theory, design, delivery mechanisms, performance, and unique opportunities for future research. It is organized into three sections to orient readers to: the existence of different types of family-based programs targeting families with children of different ages; the strategies and challenges that arise when attempting large-scale dissemination of prevention programs; and, the emerging innovations that promise to push the field forward into uncharted territories. Each chapter is written by a preeminent program developer, including: Gene H. Brody Richard F. Catalano Patricia Chamberlain Thomas J. Dishion Marion S. Forgatch Kevin P. Haggerty Cleve Redmond Matthew R. Sanders Richard L. Spoth Carolyn Webster-Stratton Contributors review the state of the research and then provide a summary of their own program, including research and dissemination efforts. They also discuss take-home lessons for practitioners and policymakers, and provide their view of the future of program development and research in their area. As an important signpost signifying the noteworthy achievements of the field to date, as well as an arrow pointing the field toward significant growth in the future, this book is a must-have primary resource for graduate students in developmental or clinical psychology, counseling, family sciences, social work, or health policy, and an essential guide for practitioners and policymakers in the field of family-based prevention, family service delivery, or public health.

In addition to introducing readers to the field of family-based prevention science, Family-Based Prevention Programs for Children and Adolescents highlights the distinctive contributions of a set of exemplary programs in terms of their foundational theory, design, delivery mechanisms, performance, and unique opportunities for future research. It is organized into three sections to orient readers to: the existence of different types of family-based programs targeting families with children of different ages; the strategies and challenges that arise when attempting large-scale dissemination of prevention programs; and, the emerging innovations that promise to push the field forward into uncharted territories. Each chapter is written by a preeminent program developer, including: Gene H. Brody Richard F. Catalano Patricia Chamberlain Thomas J. Dishion Marion S. Forgatch Kevin P. Haggerty Cleve Redmond Matthew R. Sanders Richard L. Spoth Carolyn Webster-Stratton Contributors review the state of the research and then provide a summary of their own program, including research and dissemination efforts. They also discuss take-home lessons for practitioners and policymakers, and provide their view of the future of program development and research in their area. As an important signpost signifying the noteworthy achievements of the field to date, as well as an arrow pointing the field toward significant growth in the future, this book is a must-have primary resource for graduate students in developmental or clinical psychology, counseling, family sciences, social work, or health policy, and an essential guide for practitioners and policymakers in the field of family-based prevention, family service delivery, or public health.

During the past decade, a rising interest has emerged in aspects of the broad construct of executive function (EF) in childhood. This has transpired as research has discovered that the development of EF is particularly rapid during early childhood, and that the healthy development of EF appears to play a key role in children's developing social competence and academic and social readiness to attend school. The articles presented in this special issue help advance our understanding of the development of EF, as well as the challenges researchers face when attempting to characterize an aspect of cognition in very young children. Ultimately, this special issue illuminates the many ways in which children come to exhibit age-appropriate levels of social and cognitive competence.

First Published in 2000. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

During the past decade, a rising interest has emerged in aspects of the broad construct of executive function (EF) in childhood. This has transpired as research has discovered that the development of EF is particularly rapid during early childhood, and that the healthy development of EF appears to play a key role in children's developing social competence and academic and social readiness to attend school. The articles presented in this special issue help advance our understanding of the development of EF, as well as the challenges researchers face when attempting to characterize an aspect of cognition in very young children. Ultimately, this special issue illuminates the many ways in which children come to exhibit age-appropriate levels of social and cognitive competence.

'This volume is exemplary in synthesizing research and condensing pertinent data on early childhood services both for practitioners and policymakers' - Charles Bruner, Director, Child and Family Policy Center 'Any school district struggling with low test scores, high mobility, and/or high poverty should consider the benefits of early intervention-and read this book' - Mathieu Aubuchon, Preschool Coordinator The Early Childhood Center at Gregory Hill, Westminster, CO Early education and intervention services for young children have a direct and positive impact on later school performance and quality of life. But which programs and services should be operated and funded? To answer that question, this book highlights the principles that characterize effective practices and programs for children ages 3-8. Written specifically for busy administrators, Evidence-Based Practices and Programs for Early Childhood Care and Education synthesizes what works, what doesn't, and what we still need to know based on the reviews of scientific literature by an expert panel of contributors. Key topics include: * Definition and assessment of readiness of children and schools * Early intervention for children in poverty, English language learners, and students with special needs * Publicly funded, home-based, school-age, and out-of-schooltime programs * The future of personnel preparation and professional development The result is a highly readable presentation of the evidence needed to make informed practice, program, and policy decisions in early care and education.

This unique volume reports on the largest long-term preventive intervention study ever conducted with children at risk for serious violence and poor life outcomes. From first through 10th grade, Fast Track provided multicomponent interventions to support children, families, and schools in achieving positive social, emotional, and academic outcomes. The book explores the developmental processes associated with early aggression, describes how each component of FastTrack was developed and implemented, and summarizes outcomes up to 20 years later. Vivid case studies track the impact of comprehensive school- and family-based programming on children's pathways through the elementary and high school years. The concluding chapter offers recommendations for using Fast Track components in future violence prevention initiatives. See also the authors' Social and Emotional Skills Training for Children: The Fast Track Friendship Group Manual, a step-by-step guide to implementing one of the core components of Fast Track.

This collection of original articles by leading specialists in child development brings together work from diverse backgrounds and disciplines to establish, for the first time, the importance of the preschool period (eighteen months to four years)for parent-child attachment relationships. Balancing theoretical, research-oriented, and clinical papers, "Attachment in the Preschool Years" provides valuable data and approaches for those working in a wide range of fields, including developmental psychology and psychopathology, child psychiatry, family therapy, pediatrics, nursing, and early childhood education.
"There is a wealth of information and thought in this book; it does not have a weak or uninteresting chapter, starting with the Preface by Emde, and as a whole, it forms a sort of seminar."--John E. Bates, "Contemporary Psychology"

From leading authorities, this volume presents a unique evidence-based group intervention for the 10-15% of children who are challenged by peer difficulties in elementary school. The book features 145 engaging full-color reproducible handouts, posters, and other tools. In addition to teaching core social skills (participation, communication, cooperation, good sportsmanship, conflict resolution), Friendship Group promotes emotional understanding and empathy, self-control, and effective coping with social stressors. Two complete sets of sessions are provided (grades K-2 and 3-5), including step-by-step implementation guidelines. The large-size format facilitates photocopying; purchasers also get access to a Web page where they can download and print the reproducible materials. See also the authors' Fast Track Program for Children at Risk: Preventing Antisocial Behavior, which describes the landmark study that used Friendship Group in tandem with other school- and family-based interventions.

'This volume is exemplary in synthesizing research and condensing pertinent data on early childhood services both for practitioners and policymakers' - Charles Bruner, Director, Child and Family Policy Center 'Any school district struggling with low test scores, high mobility, and/or high poverty should consider the benefits of early intervention-and read this book' - Mathieu Aubuchon, Preschool Coordinator The Early Childhood Center at Gregory Hill, Westminster, CO Early education and intervention services for young children have a direct and positive impact on later school performance and quality of life. But which programs and services should be operated and funded? To answer that question, this book highlights the principles that characterize effective practices and programs for children ages 3-8. Written specifically for busy administrators, Evidence-Based Practices and Programs for Early Childhood Care and Education synthesizes what works, what doesn't, and what we still need to know based on the reviews of scientific literature by an expert panel of contributors. Key topics include: * Definition and assessment of readiness of children and schools * Early intervention for children in poverty, English language learners, and students with special needs * Publicly funded, home-based, school-age, and out-of-schooltime programs * The future of personnel preparation and professional development The result is a highly readable presentation of the evidence needed to make informed practice, program, and policy decisions in early care and education.