Discusses examples of peer social interaction and language play among fourth through sixth graders. Suggests that these sub-rosa skills be taken into consideration during classroom assessment of language competence and development. (HTH)

Discusses dramatic techniques and their limitations in French language learning. (Text is in French.) (AM)

Shows how program activities can be a major therapeutic tool as an aid in diagnosis, a specific treatment intervention, positive reinforcement after discussion, an aid to behavior management. Discusses general factors to be considered in choosing group activities. (JH)

Concludes that the role of the teacher as researcher in children's development of thinking and socialization through play is multi-dimensional. The initial function is the internal analysis of children's thinking and interaction within a variety of settings. (Author)

Dramatic play and role playing are two techniques that can be used to help children understand their feelings about death. (JH)

Paul Friedberg designs playgrounds that provide opportunities for physical play, which develops motor skills; social play, the interaction between children; and cognitive play, the problem-solving process. (Author/MLF)

By enhancing the block play in classrooms, teachers can help children acquire the emerging skills they need--with numbers, vocabulary, and reading--for kindergarten readiness. Newburger and Vaughan provide a theoretical foundation describing why and how to use blocks, and give guidance on selecting blocks and block safety. With chapters on the…

The toys children use during play are extremely important in their development. Anthropologists have found evidence of toys dating back as far as the first record of human life and among all cultures. Toys can be an entertaining and educational way for children to learn and respond to social situations, and they give children the opportunity to…

This study investigated whether there is a difference in the number of toys that male and female parents assign as appropriate for a particular gender. It was expected that fathers would be more restrictive in their categorization of toys to one gender or the other. A measure of gender typing of toys or play behaviors was sent to both parents of…

This guide explains the concept of "special play" and provides instructions for parents on how to use this daily 15-minute play period to encourage positive behaviors in their young children. The purpose of special play is to create situations in which children become aware of feelings that they have not previously recognized, build children's…

Dramatic play provides children an excellent way to express their feelings and perceptions of the world that surrounds them. It is also an alternative way for researchers and teachers to capture, understand, and interpret children's voices because of the difficulties that children have in expressing ideas through oral and written language. While…

This study examined research on children's block play, using content analysis to review 75 documents that focused on such play. Each document was coded by type (empirical study or nonempirical article) and by 15 topics and 76 subtopics grouped into 4 broad categories: (1) environment/ecology; (2) block play and the school curriculum; (3) block…

This guidebook for parents and 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. The guide is organized around six emerging stages of play development: (1) sensory…

Noting that little is known about young children's informal mathematical knowledge and that such knowledge may contribute to national differences in mathematics achievement, this study examined Taiwanese and American preschool children's informal mathematical knowledge and the type of mathematical activities they encounter in everyday life. Data…

Many parents find that the daily stress of coping with the demanding realities of their work lives leaves them with little personal and family time; playing with their children may therefore fall to the bottom of the "to-do list." One of the tasks of early childhood professionals thus becomes helping parents understand the nature and…