Social play emerged earlier than social pretend play with a similar structure; the incidence of social pretend play increased with age. Four strategies for integrating pretense into social play were isolated; among them, verbal recruitment and "join" were found to be more effective than imitation or nonverbal recruitment. (Author/RH)

Reports a study which compared the play of nine four-year-old girls with baby dolls and with Barbie dolls. Nonfacilitative play behavior was observed much more frequently in the baby doll sessions than in the Barbie sessions. Suggests that Barbie dolls could be used as an alternative doll activity in preschool classrooms. (CB)

For forty years, the nursery school movement has emphasized play as part of the socialization process, but in the past few years, much research has been aimed at the question of stimulating cognitive development in the preschool years, especially for culturally deprived children. (Author/CB)

Creativity can be encouraged if children are allowed to learn while engaged in play activities. (DS)

Two brief articles discuss: (1) Three group counseling approaches; and (2) A comparison of empathy in master's degree and lay counselors. (CJ)

Researchers observed activities of preschool children engaged in various forms of play, and focused particularly on symbolic play. (Author/DB)

Reviews research on differences between children's and teachers' view of play and presents a continuum of activities from work to play. Found that teachers believed that some academic work presented in game form was play, whereas children focused on voluntary choice and self-direction as key elements in play. Suggests ways in which teachers might…

This longitudinal study investigated development and individual differences in exploration and play during infancy and toddlerhood among 34 children. Found that measures of developmental level, such as pretend play level and meaningful sequence, showed a significant increase between age 19 months and 30 months. (MDM)

Reviews the literature concerning the role of play therapy (particularly sandplay and nondirected play therapy) in the improvement of reading. Suggests that the role of play therapy is to support the child, encourage the child, and build self-esteem thus creating the optimal learning environment for reading improvement. (RS)

The required educational administration internship at Eastern Illinois University is a rigorous program designed to promote professional development through structures integrating play or a playful attitude into its work-related elements. These structures allow interns opportunities to initiate and think clearly, experience solidarity in work…

Notes that elementary school counselors use play as therapeutic tool to meet broad range of developmental needs of children. Contends that, when used in context of nondirective, child-centered relationship, plat offers younger and less verbal child opportunity to resolve issues that may interfere with emotional and social development and academic…

Compared pretend play enactment, negotiation, internal state language, and sibling relationship quality in 40 kindergartners with older or younger siblings. Found that frequent pretend play dyads used more high-level negotiation and internal state language than infrequent pretend dyads. Friendly relationship quality was negatively related to…

Observations were made of eight 2-year-olds and eight 3 1/2-year-olds to explore the use of play assessment and its efficacy in determining cognitive levels. Children's play primarily consisted of Exploratory Play, Pretend Play, and Problem Solving Skills. Results indicated that Exploratory Play becomes more complex with age and is displayed more…