A study found that children whose mothers pushed them to attain academic success in preschool were less creative, had more anxiety about tests, and by the end of kindergarten, had failed to maintain their initial academic advantage over their less-pressured peers. (MLW)

Investigation of French mothers' (N=6) use of pronouns to refer to their infants during free play showed that third- and first-person pronouns occurred more often in the context of affect-oriented activities than in goal-directed activities. Second-person pronoun usage occurred more frequently in goal-directed activities. (Author/CB)

Used story grammar to analyze pretend play productions of 46 children of 4-8 years. Results showed structural parallels between pretend play and stories for 76 percent of subjects. Older subjects' play was episodic and younger subjects' was preepisodic. (RJC)

Results of three studies suggested that children's play was mediated by their age, playmates' sex, and play props. Children's behavior seemed to change with age and with the children's consideration of the sex-role appropriateness of interacting in particular play areas and with particular peers. (RH)

Findings suggested that: (1) peer culture is not a unitary whole but rather a differentiated social system comprised of various groups and different types of players; (2) objects play an important role in peer culture as entry vehicles and social markers; and (3) play periods are social arenas in which the dynamics of the peer culture are enacted.…

Presents a play tutoring strategy for integrating young developmentally delayed children into play with nondelayed peers. The method used simplifies sociodramatic play through the use of play formats. (RJC)

Examined the stability and circumstances of helping behaviors of 51 children of 41-69 months in a preschool classroom. Frequency of helping behaviors was not correlated with age or sex and was not stable over four 10-minute observation periods. Most helping acts were performed during nonimaginary play. (RJC)

Twenty severely/profoundly hearing-impaired children, aged three-six, interacted with the investigator while playing with toys. A significant relationship was found between imaginative play and language development. No relationship was found between imaginative play and chronological age. Correspondences were found between language development and…

Investigates incidence and type of looking away behaviors of six infants of three-six months. Results suggest that looking away should not be interpreted as a single behavior with a fixed meaning. Types of looking away behavior identified are buffering, distracted-business, and play. (RJC)

The Preschool Play Scale (PPS) and the Preschool Play Materials Preference Inventory were administered to 35 normal preschool boys and 31 with sensory integrative dysfunction (SID). Results indicated no differences in regard to play preference, lower scores for SID boys on the PPS, and no relationship between performance and preference for SID…

Promotes the concept of serious play and discusses its role in learning, from early grades to graduate level. Provides guidelines for integrating serious play across the curriculum and includes sample primary and intermediate grade curriculum charts. (ET)

Observed mothers playing with their 40-month-old children and eliciting their children's memories of shared experiences. Cluster analysis found two distinct maternal interaction styles in each of these contexts. Individual mothers' styles varied across the contexts, suggesting that infant-mother dyads must be observed in multiple contexts to…

Reviews research on gender-role development and discusses the finding that boys and girls are not as different from each other as believed to be. Discusses consequences of gender segregation and why children choose same-sex playmates. Suggests ways to encourage more positive interactions between boys and girls. (BAC)

This study examined the effectiveness of treatment on the development of communicative intent in four young (ages 11 to 13 months) children with cerebral palsy. Treatment sessions included structured communication opportunities and physically facilitated exploration of toys. Results indicated significantly greater use of communicative signals…

Presents findings concerning the role of symbolic play. Assumes that symbolic play has seven functions in the child's development: cognitive, creative, ordering, stimulative, social, expressive, and substitutive. Considers play as a phenomenon that prepares children's abilities through symbolic play. (BAC)