In this article a university professor, former student, and father describe the father's interactions with his toddler-age son within a parent-child playgroup. The authors discuss the important role of fathers, what they learned from observing the father interact with his son, and implications for teachers and other professionals.

This paper is a tentative attempt to unwrap and understand one aspect of playful practice and the influences which determine its existence in early years settings. "Storying" events, those occasions when teachers and children together "make up" stories or parts of stories, develop roles or co-construct fantasies, occur moment by moment in some…

Environmentalists talk about the natural world and dream of spaces that belong to nature and should be entered, like hiking in the woods, on nature's terms. Another natural space, the garden, is a familiar place tamed by humans to serve social purposes such as growing food. But it has the potential to bring young children into meaningful contact…

Joint-attention-type intervention strategies have been identified as effective scaffolds for increasing social engagement in children with autism. Imitating children with autism within child-led social routines has increased children's attention and active participation in social interaction. The current study expands on this research by…

This research explored the nature of early childhood practitioners' interpretations of infants in their programs on the basis that such interpretations guide practitioner-infant interactions and curriculum decision-making processes. Twenty-four infant practitioners were asked to describe a nominated infant in their program and to interpret video…

Children with autism face enormous struggles when attempting to interact with their typically developing peers. More children are educated in integrated settings; however, play skills usually need to be explicitly taught, and play environments must be carefully prepared to support effective social interactions. This study incorporated the…

This research investigated rough and tumble (R&T) play in two early childhood settings. Participants included 11 educators and 17 children (5 years old). The study focused on gaining an understanding of how early childhood educators and young children interpret R&T play. The results indicate that while there is perceived value in R&T related to…

A panel of four child life specialists debated one another regarding the best approaches to structuring and supporting child life play practice within the changing health care system. Question 1 was, "What is the most appropriate role of senior child life staff?" The traditional playroom-based focus provides an opportunity for…

The result of a collaboration of psychoanalysts and others who met over several years to study the many meanings of play, this book is designed to contribute to the broader field of knowledge about the emotional development and inner resources of children. Written primarily for therapists, educators, and clinicians, it is divided into three major…

Research on play and its positive effect on children's development is abundant. Adults can ensure that children receive the full benefits of play by becoming effective playleaders and by guiding children through enriching play experiences. Adults need to let children know that play is an important part of their educational experience. This can be…

Research indicates that active adult involvement in children's play can increase the social level of play and have a beneficial impact on children's cognitive growth. To become appropriately involved in children's play, daycare providers and other adults need to understand how time, space, experiences, and materials affect children in play…

Describes materials mastery and symbolic development as two discrete but related processes that preschool children learn. Uses the preschool setting to identify the developmental stages of construction play. (AS)

The relationship of play and language to development of the sense of self is examined. The value of playful, affectively charged interchanges between caregivers and children is highlighted, and guidelines are established to determine a child's level of development. An intervention model is proposed for children developmentally delayed in terms of…

Play, long seen as an outlet for unused physical and emotional energy, and as a way of learning adult roles, is also recognized for its role in language development in children. Through play, children gain the skill to use symbols and representation for things and events in the environment, providing the basis of their further use of language.…

Notes that Davidson's book provides an in-depth exploration of the contribution of dramatic play to emergent literacy and ways that teachers can implement play-based literacy learning. Maintains that the book has a balanced theoretical orientation, provides a sensitive treatment of intervention, presents a thoughtful treatment of oral and written…