In a study involving 101 severely developmentally disabled children (1-16 years old), stereotyped behaviors without objects was positively correlated with self-manipulation and chronological age and was negatively correlated with complex object manipulation, developmental age, developmental quotient, and teacher attention. Stereotyped behavior…

Research established a moderate relation between toy availability and children's development throughout early childhood. Several aspects of psychological theory appear to describe part of the relation: cognitive developmental theory, relating learning and development, script theory, theories of intrinsic motivation, and theories relating play to…

Pairs of toddlers were observed with mothers in a context structured to assess sharing behavior. Children were separated by a barrier; one child had toys and the other had no toys. The situation was then reversed. Sharing for the initially deprived peer was related to extent to which the partner had shared, suggesting operation of principle of…

Observation of 14 autistic and 14 nonautistic children of equivalent mental age revealed that autistic Ss showed evidence of attachment to their mothers. Among autistic Ss, those showing increased attachment behaviors in response to separation and reunion demonstrated more advanced symbolic play skills than those showing no attachment change.…

Reviews studies of the kinds of play that influence the cognitive development, problem solving, and imagination of children. Adults' roles in children's play are discussed. (CI)

Reviews empirical research dealing with father-infant interactions in the intact family. Results indicate fathers provide an extra source of stimulation as well as unique experiences for their infants. More similarities than differences exist in father-infant interactions as compared to mother-infant interactions; however, fathers exhibit more…

Presents results of a study indicating that constructive and dramatic play contexts affected language to the extent that children use more exophora in the constructive context and more linguistic verbs, third-person pronouns, and displaced reference tenses in the dramatic context. (HTH)

Lists games and play activities for toddlers through 10-year-olds that can be linked to specific children's books. (CI)

Compared to nonreactive toys (ones without or with restricted sensory feedback), reactive toys had a substantially greater influence on the amount of time each of three severely disabled children (6-9 years old) spent in manipulative activity. Comparative effects of two toy classes on visual attention to toy play were inconclusive. (CL)

Discusses the value of play and play materials, safe and good toys, and characteristics of children between the ages of two and six. Includes the National Association for the Education of Young Children's brochure "Choosing Good Toys for Young Children." (AS)

Evaluation of Play Unit for the Severely Handicaped (PUSH) designed for the living room of a residential area used by 16 severely retarded multiply handicapped persons revealed that the impact of the unit was individualized and diverse, and that the responsiveness of the environemt's components appeared to be important. (CL)

Analyzes a discussion in a K-2 class to reveal children's attitudes toward war toys and war play and their distinctions between play and reality. Illuminates the way imaginative invention helps children sort out feelings about war and nuclear weapons. (SK)

Describes matching and ordering activities for the young child which are especially important for building experiences from which counting will later be abstracted. Lists suggest arithmetical games for preschoolers. Shows mathematical content of traditional children's games. (JH)

Describes an art experience using paint and clay with a young child in a hospital day care center. Discusses therapeutic and expressive value of art for children. (HS)