The effectiveness of the "Immigrant Resource Project" preschool program is evaluated. The preschools meet for two hours twice a week while the childrens' parents are in English as second language classes. Pupils range in age from 2 to 6 years and are drawn from a wide variety of immigrant backgrounds. The objectives are to teach English and foster…

Two studies were conducted to analyze script and event structures of preschool children's dialogues during play. To identify scripts in discourse data, the following procedural guidelines were developed and followed: (1) identify exchanges of continuous discourse, (2) delineate all conversational episodes, (3) select all episodes with pretend play…

This article includes the script for a playlet which may be used as a group counseling model or as an adjunct to individual consulting. Discussion questions are also included. (Author/HMV)

Solitary play in six kindergarten children was observed and coded for frequency and type in order to resolve iscrepancies in a Sex Birth Order interaction. Several facts concerning solitary play as indicative of independence and maturity are noted. (Author/ED)

This study investigated the issue of whether a shift occurs in infant play goals at around the beginning of the second year in terms of the organization of object-directed and caregiver-directed attention and preference for toys that require the caregiver's involvement. A total of 108 infants of 10, 15, and 29 months were observed playing with…

This documents describes a perspective on Vygotsky's theory of play and imagination that differs significantly from previous interpretations. Vygotsky proposed a developmental theory of creativity in which creative imagination develops from children's play activities into a higher mental function that can be consciously regulated through inner…

This guide provides activities, resources, and ideas for elementary physical education and classroom teachers. The activities in the basic rhythms program are divided into five classifications: movement patterns, dramatic activities, singing games, creative rhythms-dance, and rhythmic gymnastics. At the beginning of the basic rhythms sections is a…

Intended to help elementary school teachers find new and more varied ways of using drama--both for its own intrinsic value and as a school-wide teaching strategy--this publication examines the place of drama in the kindergarten through grade six curriculum. Following a rationale, the publication provides guidelines for planning a drama program and…

Claims about the relative holding-power and play-versatility of toys either low or high in amount of realistic detail, such as miniature metal cars, were tested in a solitary play environment with and without the use of props. Subjects were 36 middle-class preschool children. Results suggest that, when structure is varied within the toy prototype,…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the alternative forms of young children's help-seeking in free play and problem-solving contexts. A total of 72 children aged 18 (N=36) and 24 (N=36) months were observed in pairs in free play and problem-solving settings, as well as in different social contexts--same-age versus mixed-age pairing. Both…

The proliferation of microcomputers in early childhood education has raised concerns about the computer's effects on the preschool curriculum. Of particular concern is the possibility that children will interact with the computer to the exclusion of other important activities. To examine this issue, a two-study project investigated children's…

A study examined two questions: What are the common functions and features of literacy as evidenced in children's spontaneous play within a preschool setting, and how frequently do they occur across different groups of preschoolers? Trained observers recorded the play behavior of each of 50 children (the average age was 4 years) during four…

Intended for teachers who have no particular experience or training in teaching theater, but who have a love of theater and enjoy a good play, this book discusses making theater with children. It explores improvisation, reading and acting with scripts, adapting plays for young actors, and writing plays. The examples presented in the text are…

Improvisation can show teachers ways to use the senses to make ideas, emotions, or any academic lesson stick with a child. By using improvisational techniques, the teacher asks the student to play--to be active and to discover. For example, there are games to help the child to concentrate, verbalize, touch and make contact with other children, and…

The widespread assumption that play enhances the quality of children's lives is investigated in this paper. Theorists and rsearchers have given the word "play" definitions which emphasize (1) its complexity and degree of approximaton of the adult world, (2) initial conditions and themes and motives that characterize the realization of…