Compared conflict resolution patterns of mildly developmentally delayed preschoolers to those of older and younger typically developing children matched for age or developmental level. Analysis of naturally occurring conflicts showed that delayed children exhibit more negative and less adaptive interaction style, even compared to typically…

Naturalistic observations were made of children in grades one through six on school playgrounds. Observers coded interactive behaviors, affective valence, and play states. Aggressive children displayed more verbal and physical aggression, antisocial behaviors, and interaction than did nonaggressive children. Peers made similar initiations to the…

This review of school playtime literature finds that school play has gained serious recognition only in the last decade; that recognition generally falls into two camps, the romantic view (emphasizing what children learn and enjoy at playtime) and the problematic view (emphasizing issues such as bullying, disruptive behavior, and gender…

Used Smilansky and Parten/Piaget play measures to assess social class and sex differences in Singapore preschoolers' play at home and preschool centers. Found that parallel and functional play were higher at home than in centers and associative/cooperative play was higher in centers than homes. Smilansky scores were higher at centers than homes,…

Discusses the recommendations of a federal advisory committee to the U.S. Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board for minimum standards of accessibility at play areas. According to the board, a proposed rule addressing accessibility guidelines will come out in late 1996. (MLF)

Compared children's play with transformational objects (vehicles that change to robots) to play with representational objects (cars and figures). Found that those playing with transformers engaged in more parallel play and manipulative activity, while those with representational objects displayed more social play and more symbolic play. Found no…

Notes that holistic approaches to learning through play may not be universally effective with all children. Reviews studies in this journal issue, noting the absence of socioeconomic status as a variable, and questions raised by their results in the context of applying them to increasingly diverse populations. (HTH)

Possible antecedents of toddler gender separation were studied with 57 toddlers with a mean age of 35 months. There were no differences between gender-segregating and nonsegregating children regarding gender toy preferences or gender awareness, but teachers saw gender-segregating girls as more socially sensitive. (SLD)

Explains how high-level play is an instructional strategy that builds language, vocabulary, and underlying cognitive skills necessary for children to become successful readers and writers. Notes that high-level play in the classroom occurs in two major areas, manipulative materials play and dramatic play. Explains that in dramatic play the teacher…

Studies low income special education students decided on a theme/story line/subject for an improvisational drama and developed it into a radio play. Concludes that drama is one effective way to find out what quiet people may have to tell educators about themselves and about complex situations and problems that need to be heard and analyzed before…

Describes one educator's research journey to Friedrich Froebel's homeland of Germany to study the beginnings of the early childhood profession and to celebrate Froebel's important contributions. Offers descriptions of early Froebel schools and Froebel artifacts to illustrate his educational philosophy and practice. (KB)

Studied the playground games of children in their first year of schooling. Findings for 77 urban first graders show that facility with games forecast the social competence of boys and the adjustment to first grade of both boys and girls. (SLD)

Defines work built around a systems view of consumers and producers to characterize work as seen through different cultures as a mingling of enjoyment. Shows how emerging agricultural settlements and cities resulted in families assuming inherited work or labor specialties to be passed to the next generation. Discusses generational concepts of work…

This study examined how children's play varied as function of child's sex, play partner's sex, and whether they played in dyads or groups. Observation data revealed that boys' same-sex play was more active-forceful, farther from presence of adults, and more stereotyped than girls', a pattern exaggerated in groups. Mixed-sex play was more likely…

Presents brief annotations of 25 recently published children's books that lend themselves to language play in the classroom. Organizes the items into books that celebrate the sounds, images, movement, and feelings of language. (SR)