Investigated effects of changes in temporal organization of material play participation upon variety of infant and maternal social interactive variables. Results confirmed hypothesis that both three- and five-month-old infants recognize temporal changes and respond differentially to natural, slower, and faster temporal styles. (Author/MP)

Role play with toys was modeled to develop communicative language function in 14 multiply handicapped individuals (8 to 26-years-old whose speech was characterized by echolalic and stereotypic responses. Verbal expression increased and narrative and question forms appeared. Language behavior became more communicative and meaningful as social…

It appeared that the normal children made heroic but unsuccessful attempts to establish contact with DS children but eventually give up, with the result that the DS child becomes an isolate in the group--interacting with none except the adult helpers. (Author/SB)

Analysis of videotapes of 145 third graders playing with a parent showed (1) that parents of girls were more likely to engage in sociable play, parents of boys in active play; and (2) that maternal behavior remained relatively constant regardless of child's sex while paternal behavior varied for boys and girls. (JMB)

The authors describe a process, a social integration program, for promoting social development of autistic children which brings normal peers (second and third graders) to the special setting. Steps for planning the play session are given and guidelines for play session structure are offered. (SBH)

A charismatic teaching style turns the dance studio or classroom into a theatrical setting in which the dance instructor is "star" and the students are "supporting players." (CJ)

Examines whether language play could affect primary school children's awareness of their syntax. (MP)

A sample of eight 19-month-old toddlers were observed during free play at home, with and without a familiar toddler playmate. With the peer present, there was significantly more high-level play with toys and less low-level play with toys than with the peer absent. (Author/JH)

Asserting that playfulness is an important part of learning to work with others, as well as for attaining traits such as flexible thinking, persistence, commitment, and a love of and fascination with learning, this article presents a review of playfulness development, focusing on children age three to five, and describes 12 teaching-learning…

Investigated gender role socialization as a function of parenting experience in a toy play situation and as a function of adults' perceptions of gender-stereotyped toys. Children played individually with their parent, another child's parent, and a nonparent. Overall, adults acted in similar ways regardless of their parenting experiences. Gender…

Discusses the importance of genetic and epigenetic factors in the development of the nervous system and the performances it conditions. From the perspective of rules, play, and relaxation of rules, learning and education are not considered as a kind of conditioning but as providing a content in which the cumulative expression of potential can take…

Identifies behaviors of young children during play on swings that may be consistently observed as evidence of their construction of the physics principles related to pendulums. Findings indicate that children's activities on swings demonstrate their interest in experimenting with balance, force, gravity, resistance, and resonance. Discusses…

This supplementary insert discusses the differences between exceptionally gifted children and their more moderately gifted peers. Case studies are provided to illustrate the characteristics of exceptionally gifted children, including their tendencies toward fantasy and their ability to develop alternate realities. (CR)

Examined the relationship between multiple forms of solitary play (solitary-active, solitary-passive, reticence) and convergent and divergent thinking in preschool children. Found that reticent behavior was more strongly negatively associated with convergent and divergent thinking than either solitary-active or solitary-passive play, whereas…