Studied social interaction among a sample of children at risk for the development of later and more severe behavioral-control difficulties. Observed 121 children in pairs. Found that children in the high-risk group displayed significantly and consistently more aggressive behavior than did the children in the low-risk group. (JS)

Compared French and American preschoolers' behavior on playgrounds with parents and peers. Found that American parents watched and touched their children less than did French parents. American children played with, talked with, and touched their parents less and were more aggressive toward them than were French children; with peers, they showed…

Used discourse analysis to examine outcomes of enriching preschoolers' play with artifacts emphasizing number symbols and to examine aspects of talk significant for early mathematical understanding in classrooms. Found that introducing the artifacts was associated with general increase in talk and activity involving the materials, with evidence…

Describes the use of unit blocks with young children in early childhood education (ECE) settings to expand all areas of the curriculum. Discusses the origin of blocks in ECE programs, presents developmental stages of block play, describes children's building styles, and makes recommendations for getting started in block play for children of…

Describes the contexts and learning processes which contributed to change in the theories of play and the associated classroom practice of nine early childhood teachers in England. Data from surveys, interviews, and observations indicated that all participants were engaged in an ongoing process of professional learning. A three-stage model of…

An action-research project examined how implementation of an inclusive rule, "You can't say you can't play," at a Syracuse, New York, elementary school influenced children's informal social relationships, focusing particularly on children with disabilities. Overall, the rule has helped create a rich discourse about inclusion issues,…

Describes the potential that theater has to exert a positive influence on students' behavior patterns. States that positive educational experiences for African-American children may be achieved through the development of "an alternative frame of reference, positive self-concepts, a Black identity, and a commitment to their people."…

Experiential education provides a safe environment for the sharing of personal stories that promote understanding of diversity and commonalities. Describes the Play for Peace program to promote understanding by facilitating the play and sharing of children of conflicting cultures. (SAS)

Considers the narrative function of children's play by focusing on story, imagination, and visual expression. Argues that children's storytelling brings into account their knowledge of the world and of narrative conventions. Suggests that context shapes and constrains the stories told. Concludes that storytelling can enhance literacy and should be…

Compared performance of infants with autism, developmental delays, or normal development on a prospective screening instrument for autism. Found that 20-month-olds with autism lacked social gaze in empathy and joint attention tasks. Infants with autism or developmental delays demonstrated functional play. Few produced spontaneous pretend play.…

Examined the relationship between play and learning by exploring contrasts between the theories of Piaget and Vygotsky and examining data from a study of preschool teachers' theories of play. At the outset, these theories revealed a predominantly Piagetian, developmental orientation but changed toward a more social-constructivist orientation.…

Analyzes an ethnographic study of child second language (L2) learning, focusing on the disputes that two of the children engaged in. Data reveal how these language events both reflected and helped shape the identities of the children in ways that influenced their opportunities for L2 learning. (Author/VWL)

This longitudinal study correlated block play performance at age 4 to mathematics achievement for third-, fifth-, and seventh-graders, and high school students. No correlation was found between block performance and standardized mathematics tests or grades in elementary school. Beginning in middle school and through high school grades, a positive…

This article reviews research on educational approaches to the management of autism. Approaches include sensory-motor therapies (sensory integration training, auditory integration therapy, music therapy), applied behavior analysis, communication therapies, multi-treatment programs, and play and group therapy. Recommendations are made about the…

Examined cultural differences in amount and type of maternal scaffolding of children's learning and effects on children's performance at goal-oriented and free play. Participants were Iranian immigrant and Anglo-American mothers and preschoolers. Found that culture related to mothers' choice of scaffolding strategies, and that maternal sensitivity…