Considers whether dramatic play with toys would be as important for beginning readers and whether it could be used to support their story writing. Discusses the introduction of toys to the writers' workshop. Considers how to reflect on the physical world as a source for story ideas. (SG)

Explores factors to consider when implementing cultural awareness activities with young children in schools. Discusses considerations regarding children's awareness of differences and ways in which we can be similar to and different from each other. Play is discussed as a vehicle through which children can learn about others in a natural context.…

Recommends eight plays from the 1980s which will challenge the thinking of students with issues such as evolving independence of young people, growing up in the context of racism and discrimination, insights into the world of the deaf, and the suffering of humanity during the French Revolution. (MG)

To determine whether the genitalia of anatomical dolls are disproportionately large and may suggest sexual activity to children who have not been abused, the genitalia and breasts of 17 sets of anatomical dolls were measured. When the measurements were extrapolated to adult human proportions, the sizes were not found to be exaggerated. (Author/JDD)

This article briefly discusses the value of play in children's lives and the types of play in which they engage. Safety standards for play environments are presented, and guidelines are provided for play equipment and play supervision. (IAH)

Two studies investigated the maintenance of focused attention in the first five years of life. Findings revealed changes over age in the way children concentrate and sustain attention spontaneously during free play. Results point to possible developments underlying the increasing duration of focused attention. (RH)

Discusses effects of introducing children to computers, including effects on children's sense of time and potential negative effects on children's play. Concludes that the trend toward computer technology in the classroom cannot be turned back and urges that teachers insure that the technology is not used repressively. (RH)

Reviews literature concerning the relationship between symbolic play and ideational fluency. Discusses a study relating preschool symbolic play to aspects of divergent cognitive style. Symbolic play at preschool was related to ideational fluency and measures of flexibility, originality, and intelligence three years later. (RJC)

An anthropological description of interaction between two boys with profound developmental disabilities, living in a state institution, is offered. The socio-cultural analysis revealed behavior patterns which demonstrated feelings, communication, autonomy in play, and purposeful interaction in the attainment of a goal. (JDD)

This study investigated prekindergarten children's uses of written language within the context of their symbolic play. (PCB)

Two studies examined the relationship between maternal responsiveness, child compliance, and mood in 54 mothers and their 4-year-old children. Responsive play increased positive mood but did not affect arousal levels. Children induced into positive moods complied more and with shorter latencies than children induced into negative moods. (RJC)

Argues that introducing preschoolers to the kinds of formal basic skills instruction they will receive in elementary school fosters "learned stupidity" and merely teaches the ability to memorize concepts that have no meaning. Advocates that preschool programs focus on play, motor skills, and that which is visible, tangible, and audible. (DMM)

Studied 24 pairs of 4-year olds, including long-term friend, short-term friend, and never-friend dyads. Long-term friends were more likely than children of other friendship status groups to use communicative behavior that extended pretend play in a more complex way. (DR)

Generating ideas for play and following instructions were studied with 15 children (ages 6 to 15) with autism, 15 children with learning difficulties, and 15 younger normal children. Children with autism were as able as controls in following instructions; they were impaired at generating original actions with a car but were not impaired with a…

Children who interacted with a robot that spoke reciprocally to them uttered more speech that maintained the topic of conversation, and engaged in more verbally mediated social play than children who interacted with a randomly speaking robot. Gender differences in children's looking at their mother in the room were observed. (BC)