Investigates how children use directives and forms of exclusion to organize play activity. Elementary school children of mixed ethnicity were observed playing jump rope over one month. Girls' dominance in the game was observed to change over time. The ability to use actions that tell others what to do in a very direct fashion in cross-sex…

Examines the use of gender-distinctive language in preschool sibling conversations, focusing on mitigation in directives and related forms used during pretend play. Findings indicate that gender-distinctive patterns of language use are sensitive to variations in situation and interaction partner. (19 references) (CK)