Contrasts effects of developmental characteristics of peer interaction partners on three preadolescent students with severe developmental disabilities observed while playing with (1) children of similar age and comparable diagnosis, (2) nondisabled children of similar age, and (3) chronologically younger but developmentally similar nondisabled…

Describes historical background of the "Living Newspaper" theater, the procedure in using the genre as a classroom activity, and the evaluation of the activity for student learning. Presents an example of play design and an observation-debriefing form, concluding that this medium stimulates student curiosity about the past and may be…

Compares patterns of play and serious aggression in three- to eight-year-old children of two neighboring Zapotec Indian communities that have different levels of adult violence. Results suggest that community differences in violence levels are perpetuated as Zapotec children learn community-appropriate patterns to express aggression and continue…

Techniques for modifying toys for children with cerebral palsy to enhance active, independent use of play materials are described. The most successful techniques include stabilization; creating boundaries; and use of grasping aids, manipulation aids, and switches. Good positioning is emphasized to maximize controlled and relaxed movement and…

Summarizes data on developmental patterns in constructive play--play in which children use play materials to make something. Reviews knowledge about developmental correlates and effects of constructive play behavior and examines methodological and theoretical issues. (NH)

Mothers' and fathers' socialization of one- and two-year-old children's sex-typed play behaviors was examined. For each parent, dyadic interactions were videotaped in the home on two occasions six months apart. Results are discussed in terms of implications for the social learning account of sex-role development. (Author/RH)

Examines the effects of providing different reasons for young children inteacting with a peer during play. Shows that dispositional or situational information about an unknown peer affects children's impressions of that peer differently, depending on the age of the child. (HOD)

Episodes of children's crying and children's and teachers' responses to crying were observed in natural preschool settings using an event-sampling technique. Narrative descriptions of the episodes were coded as to cause of crying, teacher response, peer response, and context. (Author/NH)

Reports on an experiment that examined the independent effects of television content (violence) and television formal features (action) on preschool boys' attention to programs and their postviewing social behavior. Shows rapid character action facilitated visual attention to the programs and that television action level had no systematic effects…

Acknowledges the value in a reciprocal interaction of work and play in the writing center. Discusses some pedagogic and academic attitudes associated with play and observes the historical development of the writing center as a place for spontaneity and playfulness within the university. (HTH)

The relationship between interactive play and the frequency of related responding to comments was investigated within the dyadic interactions between a language impaired 4-year-old and 4 normal language users. While the frequency of related responses was variable for the subject, the frequencies of related responses of normal children were…

Discusses the concept of playful gaming (an idea not expressed fully by either term alone) and uses it as an analytical tool to study the playfulness of games in the context of several social phenomena; i.e., social change, socialization, utopian systems, and educational gaming. An extensive reference list is provided. (MBR)

In a longitudinal study, infants 6 to 18 months of age were observed in their homes playing with their mothers and with peers to determine how they coordinated attention to people and objects. Person engagement declined with age, while coordinated joint engagement increased; both passive and coordinated joint engagement were much more likely when…

Describes the adult's primary responsibility in facilitating toddler play as being a supportive participant. Includes guidelines for supporting play and planning play activities. (AS)

Discusses the significance of dramatic form in fostering children's cognitive and affective development. Examines the work of John Dewey, Susanne Langer, Nelson Goodman, Gavin Bolton, and Robert Witkin. (PD)