Results indicated that different types of play environment strongly influence preschool children's types of social play and play group size. Differences in cognitive level and social egocentrism influenced the choice of play environment. (Author/DB)

The development status of the communicatory behavior of 11 autistic children (4 to 9 years old) was assessed during free play sessions under two conditions: when teachers were present to direct the children's behavior and when teachers were absent and the children played among themselves. (Author)

Presents an analysis of the control techniques adopted by the mothers of 15- and 24-month-old children during an eight-minute laboratory play situation. Mothers were requested to take an active role in the interaction by ensuring that the child played with the full range of toys available. (JMB)

Follows changes in children's writing from the first through fourth grade, presenting case study data that show how children's writing shifts from play to craft. (GT)

A one-way analysis of variance was used to assess the effects of imposed (picture) and induced (play) imagery on the aural language comprehension of 80 kindergarten children who were randomly assigned to two treatment and two control conditions. No significant differences in recall were found. (Author/JD)

In lieu of language lab attendance, second-year language students had the option of attending a drama lab. This program has met with great success. The objective of the lab is to improve skills in pronunciation, intonation, and stress patterns. Also, an environment is created in which the student feels at home with the target language. (PJM)

Examines short-term longitudinal relationships between test measures of cognitive processes and ratings of classroom behaviors observed during free play. Subjects were 64 middle-class preschool children. (Author/MP)

The effects of two types of play experiences (constructive and dramatic) on 64 preschool children's perspective-taking performance were studied. (Author/MP)

The important intrinsic rewards of play present in athletic endeavour are being subjugated to wider societal pressures such as achievement orientation and overly competitive attitudes. (LH)

Group play increased and solitary play decreased during the nine-month period children were studied, while parallel play did not vary much in overall occurrence. (CM)

Argues that exploration is a constrained behavior category relative to play and provides an economic illustration of behavioral elements during exploration and play. (MP)

Addresses emotional reactions of the therapist to the termination of a therapeutic relationship. Discusses findings which evolved from three ten-week courses in play therapy. Concludes that student therapists must be taught to accept separation as a positive, integral part of the play therapy relationship. (Author/KC)

This article gives many suggestions for using drama in the foreign language classroom. (CFM)

Groups of 20 normal and 20 hyperactive boys ranging in age from 6 to 12 years were observed interacting with their mothers in 15-minute free-play and 15-minute structured-task situations. (JMB)