The results of an investigation to determine the effect of the Children's Developmental Play Program on behavioral and neuromotor functioning of developmentally disabled children indicates that it serves as a valuable resource to the child, community, and inservice teachers. This study observed risk-taking behaviors, self-concept, and motor skills…

A total of 24 middle class and 16 lower class preschoolers were observed during free play period on 30 consecutive school days. The behaviors of the children were coded by combining the social play categories of Parten and the cognitive play schemes of Smilansky. Results indicate a significant difference in types of play by class. (Author/SB)

The Exploratorium is a science museum with emphasis on the display and control of many kinds of natural phenomena and on ways of perceiving them. It combines the elements of sightseeing and play into the overall theme of human sensory perception. Art is also an integral part of the Exploratorium. (Author/MA)

Discusses roles for improvised role-playing as a language exercise in the French class. (Text is in French.) (AM)

Proposes French language learning activities based on dramatic techniques. (Text is in French.) (AM)

Author sees a bleak future for the under-fives in the wake of cuts in the nursery programme. (Editor/RK)

This book focuses on the need to equip practitioners to meet the play needs of children in today's early years settings. With babies and very young children increasingly being cared for in out-of-home care settings, it is essential for early years practitioners to be responsive and reflective to ensure that these young children's needs are met in…

Based on the view that parents are their children's first teachers, this trainer's guide presents a series of 10 workshops or "literacy learning parties" designed to assist parents and other family caregivers in helping their preschool children develop the skills needed to learn to read and write. The workshops are small, structured,…

In this book, the author tells the recent history of the natural and creative growth of a vital community of learners, of an experiment in collaborative education and social celebration of diverse experiences and skills that works to benefit young children, parents and practitioners in education and social services. After a background section,…

Recent research and legislative initiatives have put pressure on preschool teachers and administrators to increase children's literacy development. This concise, practical resource helps readers respond to this challenge with the content and best practices needed to provide preschoolers with balanced, effective literacy instruction. The book…

This volume presents a collection of practical strategies for enhancing communication between couples and families. Experts in the field outline proven techniques from cognitive and constructivist/constructionist frameworks, structural and strategic orientations, and couple/family play therapy. Chapters are: (1) "Letter for a Change: Using Letter…

Significant recent discoveries within a number of scientific disciplines, collectively referred to as the science of complexity, are creating a major shift in how human beings understand the complex, adaptive systems that make up the world. A complex adaptive system consists of networks of large numbers of agents that interact with each other and…

Filial therapy is a psychoeducational skills training approach in which parents are taught how to conduct child-centered play sessions with their own children. A summary of this technique is offered in this paper. Filial therapy, based on child-centered play therapy developed by Carl Rogers and Virginia Axline, allows children to express…

Based on the idea that although children of every nation speak different languages the language of play is international, this collection of 32 street rhymes from 17 nations and republics offers each rhyme in its native language (Portuguese, Tamil, Hebrew, Japanese, Russian, Chinese, Spanish, Greek, German, Bantu (Mambwe), Danish, Cheyenne,…

This series of 10 booklets provides information to new parents on their infants' behavior and development. The topics covered in the four-page booklets are: (1) "Welcome to the World of Babies," including information on infants' communication, baby books, and developmental milestones from birth to 9 months; (2) "Language: All about Communication,"…