The research summaries in this monograph provide a discussion of play in young children as well as examinations of differences, values, and interventions associated with children's play. Following an introduction to the topic, four articles examine differences in children's play: two articles focus on sex stereotyping in preschoolers'…

This introduction to, and comment upon, a symposium on communicative competence argues that the appropriate unit of analysis in language development is communicative competence and proposes that the development of communicative competence can be studied usefully through observing children's communication during role play. Communicative competence…

Research findings indicate that role play can contribute to children's language growth through furthering: (a) growth in imaging, (b) increased recall, (c) discriminative listening, (d) development of novel forms of communication, (e) learning of socially appropriate communication, and (f) motoric actions. Teachers can facilitate role-playing by…

This guide is intended for teachers interested in helping preschool and kindergarten children make discoveries about the reading process. The guide focuses specifically on ways teachers can build written words into children's dramatic play through the use of symbolic props-materials which either contain written words or invite children to create…

Based on position papers and proceedings of the National Institute on Program Development and Training in Recreation for Deaf-Blind Children, Youth, and Adults, the document presents approximately 50 brief articles for use by parents, teachers, rehabilitation personnel, and therapeutic recreation personnel. Sections cover the following topics…

Enumerates ways to help early readers without negatively affecting their development in other areas, such as: (l) providing an atmosphere rich in environment print and positive role models, (2) using encouragement rather than praise as a means of reinforcing their progress, (3) exhibiting respect for the child, (4) eliminating criticism and…

Noting that the curriculum in early childhood education is dramatically different from that at other levels of education, this volume seeks to clarify some of the issues related to early childhood curriculum development and its bases in both personal knowledge and knowledge from the different disciplines to achieve a "balanced curriculum."…

Seventeen children who had been removed from deleterious family backgrounds and placed in institutional care were exposed to imaginative play training. They showed significant increments in levels of imaginative play, positive emotionality, prosocial behaviors, and in measures of divergent thinking and story-telling skills, and decreases in levels…

Asserts that play is an important medium for young children's learning, one that contributes to the child's cognitive, physical, emotional, and social development. Discusses the qualities that distinguish play from other activities, the skills children develop from exposure to a variety of play experiences at home and in the classroom, and…

Describes a play-based procedure for assessing young children's knowledge of the functions of writing. A case study highlights this discussion. (BB)

This article is a reflection on the author's M.Ed. research study, undertaken whilst working full time as a nursery teacher, in which she explores her concerns and the moments of illumination through the research process. She reflects on ways she began to make sense of young children's learning, using some key moments in the study, which examined…

The Grube Method of Instruction is a teaching and learning system for the acquisition and reinforcement of essential learned skills necessary for school success. The system consists of an illustrated book of useful information, a deck of standard playing cards, and an educationally designed gameboard. It is appropriate for students aged three…

This paper describes how to create a deck of 56 playing cards using historical or educational facts in place of the numbers on the playing cards. Card data also deal with various games and activities to address interest and learning styles. (EH)

Discriminative stimulus control over sex-typed play behaviors was investigated in five boys, aged 5-8 years, who had childhood cross-gender identification. Sex-typed play was found to vary as a function of social stimulus condition and type of response required, but all children exhibited predominantly feminine play while alone in the playroom.…