This article provides an overview of 3 approaches to peer-mediated intervention that have been effective in improving the social and communicative interactions among young children with autism and other developmental disabilities and their classmates without disabilities. These empirically supported peer-mediated interventions involve teaching…

This booklet describes specific ways that parents can help their preschool children learn during the routines of a typical day. It provides general guidelines on safety, child development, and parental expectations, as well as learning activities that can be used when children are waking up, dressing, getting ready for preschool, playing alone,…

Drama is a means to develop imagination and empathy. Simulated experiences can affect profoundly one's judgment and understanding, adding insights and expanding the frame of reference. The name game is a good beginning exercise, especially if participants do not know one another. Each player states his or her name and a favorite object that begins…

The Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales (CSBS) were developed to standardize communication sampling procedures in assessing preverbal and early verbal stage children. To assess interrater reliability in using the scales with children with developmental disabilities, eight children (ages 33-113 months) with developmental disabilities were…

Private speech is speech overtly directed to a young child's self and not directly spoken to another listener. Private speech develops differently during fantasy play than constructive play. This study examined age differences in the amount of fantasy play in the preschool classroom and in the amount and type of private speech that occurs during…

Because teasing is a form of play that can contain some element of truth, the response of the teased is relevant to determining the nature of the play frame. Play frames occur in teasing situations when the teased responds in a way that cooperates and therefore maintains the play frame. This paper analyzes five examples of interactional teases…

Designed to assist administrators and teachers conducting prekindergarten early intervention programs for at-risk children, this curriculum guide outlines age-appropriate arts experiences that are process-oriented rather than product-oriented. After introductory statements, content focuses on learning activities in the visual arts, dance/creative…

This module focuses on the use of play as a natural and effective means for expanding the learning opportunities for young children in special preschool settings. It includes discussions of the different roles teachers assume as they incorporate play into their curriculum. The guide highlights instructional approaches which promote child learning,…

In a study of features that seem to be typical of children's conversations, 10 Finnish preschool children's conversations were videotaped and audiotaped over a period of 10 hours. The children were taped in conversation, play, fairy tale, and eating situations. Among the findings are that all children enjoy playing with language, but some initiate…

This literature review on the importance of play in the development of children focuses on play differences of exceptional children, methods of observing and assessing play, play interventions, the use of toys and playthings, the role of nonhandicapped peers in play, the physical environment for play, and the role of adults. The paper concludes…

Part of a series for 4-H members between 9 and 19 years of age, this age-graded guide to the development of 6-, 7-, and 8-year-olds aims to help 4-H members who are children and adolescents themselves: (1) understand the physical, mental, social, and emotional development of children in middle childhood; (2) learn to care for a child in middle…

Interactions between 25 mothers and their developmentally delayed children (ages 2-5) during 15 minutes of semi-structured free play were coded independently with a global rating scale and a behavior count coding scheme. Correlational analyses were performed around three central themes: (1) the nature of the relationship between maternal…

This activity kit was designed for parents to use with their preschool children and focuses on the development of skills through play. Sixty activities are described. Descriptions are accompanied by a photograph, a list of materials needed, directions, the purpose of the activity, and a statement of what the child will learn from it. Many of the…

Babies respond to bright colors and shapes, rhythms and sounds of music, and actions and words of others. These first learning experiences are strengthened when parents and other adults interact with babies. This booklet offers ideas for giving infants and toddlers a start in learning through the arts. To facilitate age-appropriate learning, the…

Developed as part of the Physical Education In-Service Training Project of the University of Kentucky, this manual is designed to help special education teachers and adapted physical education teachers promote the motor and play skills of handicapped students through planned activities. Content areas of the manual were identified as "greatest…