Argues that an "as-if" mode of making sense of the world is an important characteristic of human development across all age groups. Illustrates the role of as-if functioning in adults following loss of a loved one, maintaining that self-reorganization centers on the grave as a physical and symbolic entity and the deceased as an…

Maintains that Josephs (1998) identifies a new and significant research question: how individuals relate to loved one's death through an imaginary dialog created in an "as-if" manner. Discusses the issues of how adults' as-if activities are related to children's pretend play and how such dialogs might transform the self over time.…

Analyzes two student group Hypertext projects and a MOO (multiuser domain, object-oriented) project. Finds the play element can enrich readerly experience through the creation of a dramatic experience of information. Suggests that composition instructors need to recognize the play element in computer-based composition and encourage the development…

Assessed beliefs of 6-, 8-, and 10-year-olds about the injury risk presented by various play behaviors in stories. Found that children rated boys as having lower likelihood of injury than girls during the same activity. Children were more accurate in identifying the sex of the character in stories of boys' injuries than girls' injuries, and…

Toy-lending libraries provide parents and professionals with opportunities for shared play and the loan of toys. This article reviews the history of toy-lending libraries and the purpose of Lekoteks, the Swedish toy library. Guidelines and suggestions for developing and maintaining a toy-lending library are discussed. (JPB)

Uses a theatrical approach to implement dramatization into science classrooms. Explains how to use dramatic science in and outside of the classroom with different scenarios. (YDS)

Presents a theory of child-development stages that reflects the relationship between children's play and the need to create a personal identity. Considers the relationship between socializing play and individuation, and defines four stages of identity development through play: amorphous, play, games, and generalization and maturity. (JPB)

Describes the block play of two preschoolers as they recreate their visit to their state capital. Presents the teacher's observations of the skills displayed in their play and the letter to parents explaining what children learn from block play. (KB)

Examines the central historical and contemporary role of blocks and construction toys in early childhood education. Describes how commercially produced blocks were conceptualized as a surface for displaying symbols, as pure form, or as a way to transmit a cultural heritage of architectural styles. Discusses how blocks were used in early…

Conducted a case study of two Hong Kong kindergarten teachers to examine their understanding and implementation of play in the curriculum. Results showed that they had immense difficulties understanding the concept of learning through play, and there was a gap between teachers' espoused theories and practice. (SM)

Describes how teachers can help children feel included, connected, and valued, explaining that the family is the child's first and most important group, and children learn the rules of social interaction from primary relationships with adults. As children play, they learn and formulate their own social rules. Teachers can provide structured,…

Presents suggestions for designing playgrounds for preschool children. Includes information on evaluating existing conditions, obtaining a safety audit for equipment and surfacing; and designing the playground. Design considerations include the role of the natural world, adequate space to move and create, opportunities for various movement types,…

Participation and competition in some sports are associated with lower stages of moral reasoning. Coaches can foster moral development by starting with the right mental model, holding benchmark meetings about team values, setting goals for physical and character skills, making time for guided discussion sessions, building community, modeling…

Past research has indicated that children become active learners by "active play" which may include board games. In this article, the author describes how the use of games in school libraries may make children more responsive to the school library media center. Games encourage teamwork and creativity, and experts believe that children retain…

A 4-year old boy with autism was exposed to a multicomponent intervention plan that targeted his verbal and physical sharing among typical peers in an integrated preschool class-room. Preceding daily play sessions he practiced sharing with one peer, and an instructor who directed and demonstrated desirable behaviors (priming). During actual play,…