The intent of this article is to describe the basic processes used by the child in order to create and imagine; to explain the significance of objects for encouraging creativity, imagination, and intellectual growth; and to show how creative thinking is nurtured using the world of objects. Five reasons are advanced to support the claim that the…

Often the way one communicates ethical choices is conditioned by the dynamics of the communication process more than by a well-developed "ethical system." Sociodrama is an excellent method of teaching both ethics and communication skills. The technique can be used for playing out any real-life situation, but unlike much actual life experience, it…

Guidelines and examples for using dramatization to teach elementary German are presented. Dramatization can be used productively as an aid to learning even at the very beginning of a course or in an academic environment that is hostile to innovation. In order to learn an utterance in a foreign language, the students must be able to project their…

De Castell and Jenson argue that educational game development has generally overlooked what recreational-commercial games exploit, foster, and understand. They strongly believe that games can support educational objectives, but can only enjoy real success if they are remodeled to resemble recreational-commercial games. De Castell and Jenson used a…

Discussed the advantages of the "new" physical education curriculum being taught and practiced in New Jersey schools. (RK)

This article describes two components of "Project: Child-Family Educators", a community-based child development training program designed for community paraprofessionals, a preschool play group experience for children in the community, and a parent education program. (CS)

Children (N=408) from three experimental infant schools in Israel were observed during their free play for three consecutive weeks, using observational categories based on Parten's (1932) work. Findings based on 2,157 observations provide norms of social behavior and organization for ages five to seven, an age group which was not studied…

Several categories which were developed to code the social interactions of mothers and children in a twenty minute free play laboratory situation are described. The categories were divided into primary modes, which were subdivided into smaller units of behavior. Frequency categories within a mode and duration categories across modes may usually be…

This study tested the hypothesis that the frequency of prosocial behavior of six 5-year-old kindergarten boys could be increased by reinforcing such behavior more powerfully than competing, non-social behavior. A sand-play machine was designed for the study. The machine could be modified to structure contingencies of reinforcement for social…

Teachers can use unit blocks as tools for directed learning activities, or blocks can be reserved for children's discovery learning experiences. To use unit blocks for discovery learning, children need adequate, protected space and sufficient, uninterrupted time. Given opportunities for free play with unit blocks, children progress through seven…

The paper, part of videotape presentation, highlights certain issues involved in a modeling approach to educational therapy for hearing impaired infants and their parents at the Lexington School for the Deaf (Jackson Heights, New York). Through the use of play and modeling techniques, the educational therapist encourages parents to interact and…

This article provides a comparative analysis of studies in which symbolic play in children ages 1 through 3 was the major focus of a formal research strategy. The review provides readers with (1) information allowing more effective evaluation of research involving symbolic play and (2) background for designing or adopting play measurement…

The value of language and intellectual stimulation in young children is stressed in a report designed for health administrators and family planning organizations. First year developmental milestones are outlined, and a baby's need for attention as well as the need to provide information on speech and intellectual development to parents are…