Play patterns of 11 "language slow" preschool children and 11 younger "language competent" children were examined to determine whether age or language use contributed more to mature play. Matched by language level, subjects were drawn from five middle-class preschools and were of middle to upper socioeconomic status. (RH)

Playground observations of 34 learning disabed and non-LD elementary children revealed few substantive differences between the LD and non-LD groups. Sociometric questionnaires indicated that LD Ss had lower status than the non-LD children, and that the non-LD children play with about half of the LD children for whom they expressed liking.…

Presents a case where psychiatry and family therapy were used concurrently to treat a family disorder. The use of two modalities allowed the therapists to see the distress their prescriptions inflicted on the child. Concluded that family therapists should consider how their interventions affect young, vulnerable family members. (BH)

Examines ways in which the varying degrees of distance that occur in drama may help children to engage in more abstract levels of thought and language. (HTH)

Appendices provide examples of systematic observation of free play, written checklists of play preference items, a discussion of dichotomous choice items, and examples of toy preference ranking procedures. (RH)

Examines the ways in which Jane Addams affected the field of creative drama. (PD)

This article offers a collection of commentary on work and play, including sources spanning some three centuries of American history. It is noted that the work ethic, in its various forms and shades, has perceptibly provided the leitmotif for the American experience in work and play. (JMK)

Analysis of videotaped mother interactions with 21 visually impaired and 16 nonhandicapped infants revealed that visually impaired infants demonstrated fewer periods of positive vocalization and responses, fewer social initiations, more negative vocalizations and periods of negative affect, and more ignoring of the mothers than did the controls.…

Training for six behaviorally handicapped preschoolers consisted of initial instructions, modeling, and behavioral rehearsal, followed by teacher prompts and praise regarding sharing directly in a classroom free play period. Introduction of training in a multiple baseline design across three pairs of children resulted in substantial increases in…

Examined effects of direct intervention on language learning. Using a toy manipulation task, 18 children aged 3;6 to 4;6 were systematically taught linguistic structures beyond their developmental grasp. Solid improvement was found in the experimental conditions; no significant improvement was noted in control conditions, showing that the language…

Out of his years of experience in working with children, Zingher identifies some of the powerful and evocative themes of childhood, and explores why these touch children so deeply. He encourages professionals who work with children in school, camp, club and library settings to consider using these themes to develop thoughtful and creative programs…

This brochure, developed by a manufacturer of wooden blocks and trains, offers advice on the selection and use of toy blocks with children. The guide asserts that blocks, while often thought of as the most simple of toys, have great strength as creativity builders. Topics discussed in the brochure include: "Why We Want Our Children to…

Designed for parents or teachers of young children with autism, this guide outlines the development stages in nonverbal or visual thinking, communication, imitation, and play in children with and without autism. In the section on nonverbal or visual thinking skills, the paper addresses simple sorting and matching, the purpose of sorting, and more…

This guidebook for early intervention personnel was developed by the "Let's Play! Project," a 3-year federally supported project that worked to promote play in infants and toddlers with disabilities through the use of "low-tech" assistive technology. An introductory section considers the importance of play for children of this age and is followed…