A sample of eight 19-month-old toddlers were observed during free play at home, with and without a familiar toddler playmate. With the peer present, there was significantly more high-level play with toys and less low-level play with toys than with the peer absent. (Author/JH)

Asserting that playfulness is an important part of learning to work with others, as well as for attaining traits such as flexible thinking, persistence, commitment, and a love of and fascination with learning, this article presents a review of playfulness development, focusing on children age three to five, and describes 12 teaching-learning…

Investigated gender role socialization as a function of parenting experience in a toy play situation and as a function of adults' perceptions of gender-stereotyped toys. Children played individually with their parent, another child's parent, and a nonparent. Overall, adults acted in similar ways regardless of their parenting experiences. Gender…

Discusses the importance of genetic and epigenetic factors in the development of the nervous system and the performances it conditions. From the perspective of rules, play, and relaxation of rules, learning and education are not considered as a kind of conditioning but as providing a content in which the cumulative expression of potential can take…

Identifies behaviors of young children during play on swings that may be consistently observed as evidence of their construction of the physics principles related to pendulums. Findings indicate that children's activities on swings demonstrate their interest in experimenting with balance, force, gravity, resistance, and resonance. Discusses…

This supplementary insert discusses the differences between exceptionally gifted children and their more moderately gifted peers. Case studies are provided to illustrate the characteristics of exceptionally gifted children, including their tendencies toward fantasy and their ability to develop alternate realities. (CR)

Examined the relationship between multiple forms of solitary play (solitary-active, solitary-passive, reticence) and convergent and divergent thinking in preschool children. Found that reticent behavior was more strongly negatively associated with convergent and divergent thinking than either solitary-active or solitary-passive play, whereas…

Considers whether dramatic play with toys would be as important for beginning readers and whether it could be used to support their story writing. Discusses the introduction of toys to the writers' workshop. Considers how to reflect on the physical world as a source for story ideas. (SG)

Explores factors to consider when implementing cultural awareness activities with young children in schools. Discusses considerations regarding children's awareness of differences and ways in which we can be similar to and different from each other. Play is discussed as a vehicle through which children can learn about others in a natural context.…

Recommends eight plays from the 1980s which will challenge the thinking of students with issues such as evolving independence of young people, growing up in the context of racism and discrimination, insights into the world of the deaf, and the suffering of humanity during the French Revolution. (MG)

To determine whether the genitalia of anatomical dolls are disproportionately large and may suggest sexual activity to children who have not been abused, the genitalia and breasts of 17 sets of anatomical dolls were measured. When the measurements were extrapolated to adult human proportions, the sizes were not found to be exaggerated. (Author/JDD)

This article briefly discusses the value of play in children's lives and the types of play in which they engage. Safety standards for play environments are presented, and guidelines are provided for play equipment and play supervision. (IAH)

Two studies investigated the maintenance of focused attention in the first five years of life. Findings revealed changes over age in the way children concentrate and sustain attention spontaneously during free play. Results point to possible developments underlying the increasing duration of focused attention. (RH)

Discusses effects of introducing children to computers, including effects on children's sense of time and potential negative effects on children's play. Concludes that the trend toward computer technology in the classroom cannot be turned back and urges that teachers insure that the technology is not used repressively. (RH)