Describes the author's first visit to Bulgaria to visit classes, attend student performances, and talk with the faculty at the National Academy of Theater Arts and Film. Discusses their use of theater technique, such as puppetry, as a therapeutic tool and the vitality and expertise they displayed in their play performances. (CR)

Examined how aspects of preschoolers' peer-conflict behavior varied according to partner. Found that initiating and negotiating behavior in early sessions better predicted behavior in the fourth session for the same-partner versus change-partner group. Results indicated that much of preschoolers' conflict behavior was sensitive to influences…

Makes suggestions for learning materials to be used in the block area, dramatic play area, the sensory table, and outdoor space to provide opportunities to enhance preschool children's social development. Notes the importance of rotating materials regularly to keep them enticing to children. (KB)

Describes a project whereby a harpist collaborated with a preschool to introduce a harp and related music instruction into the classrooms. Notes the various learning experiences of individual children and the appropriateness of play as the mechanism for creating an inviting environment as children experienced the harp. (HTH)

Offers a rationale for and overview of contextual factors that influence the play and developmental outcomes of preschool children with disabilities. Research on play is discussed relative to child, program, family, and measurement characteristics that can influence play/developmental outcomes. (DB)

This introduction to a special issue on play and simulation/gaming examines the distinction often made between children's play and adult gaming. It illustrates the diversity of play activities and the pedagogical uses of gaming, and demonstrates that these two fields of reflection have everything to gain through mutual enrichment. (AEF)

Investigates the potential of 11 traditional play activities in a nursery classroom for contributing toward the development of sociability and cooperation in children. Findings suggest four elements characteristic of cooperative play: (1) communication of imaginative ideas; (2) interactive, activity-related dialog; (3) problem solving; and (4)…

A study explored the perspectives of 12 parents of children with disabilities who attended inclusive play groups between 1987 and 1996. Factors that should be considered when planning and implementing inclusive play groups to help parents of children with disabilities feel more comfortable within the groups are discussed. (Author/CR)

Examined goal-directed behaviors for a group of children with Down's syndrome and a control group of children. Maternal and child behaviors were recorded during joint play. Found that children with Down's syndrome are less likely than normal children to show increases in independent goal-directed play behaviors following a joint play session with…

Examined impact of cued observation and discussion by 24 parents of their young children's play on parental thinking and reasoning about child development and parent-child relations. Found statistically significant changes in reasoning about eight issues after the eight-month intervention, demonstrating change within a range that could be viewed…

Suggests six characteristics of mathematical play. Analyzes the problem-solving process for the Six Circles and observations of students solving calculator and integration problems in relation to theories of play and cognitive gain. Discusses some difficulties of implementing a 'play' approach in the classroom and proposes further research…

Takes a look at what creativity is and where it goes as people age. Describes six exercises the author has used to spark creativity in middle school and high school students, both in the classroom and on stage. (SR)

Investigated stability over time and consistency across contexts in the interactive behaviors of infants and their mothers during play and bath sessions. Found responsiveness was a highly stable and consistent personal style; mothers' expression of positive affect was more time-dependent than an enduring quality; and maternal directiveness was the…

Proposes an alternative model of therapy for sexually abused children, and suggests envisioning the therapy process for children whose abuse therapies are particularly extreme as a series of cycles rather than progressive improvement through a number of stages. Discusses two cases to illustrate the proposed cyclic nature of play with this…

Compared 64 inner-city Los Angeles preschoolers' spontaneous story narratives, recorded immediately after the 1992 riots, with narratives told by a matched comparison group of 128 preschoolers living in other cities. Found that children with direct exposure to the riots told more narratives with aggressive thematic content than did the comparison…