Two studies documented gender differences in preschool children's responses to situations of vulnerability. Children playing with same sex friends showed no sex differences in time responding to vulnerability; some sex differences were noted in response type. Children's preferences for vignettes representing categories of response to the same…

Presents a rationale for using expressive art therapy with clients and outlines many of the forms and techniques that can be used. Discusses art and drawing, play, sand tray work, writing, and storytelling. Describes ways to interpret art activities and some training suggestions for art therapists. (RJM)

Self-images expressed in response to the Draw-A-Story task were examined for differences in gender, age and delinquency. Subjects included 64 adolescents in detention and 74 normal controls. No significant differences were found in gender and delinquency. Significant gender differences were found in both solitary and assaultive content. Discusses…

This study identified behaviors used by 12 kindergartners with hearing impairments and their typical peers (n=30) to enter social pretend play in the home corner area of an integrated kindergarten. Results showed that the children with hearing impairments used primarily nonverbal entry behaviors and tended to be less persistent. (Author/CR)

A study of 43 children (ages 2-6) who were deaf or hard of hearing examined the effects of a social skills and comparison intervention on peer social behaviors. Children receiving social skills intervention decreased frequency of solitary and parallel play and maintained these changes a year after the intervention. (Author/CR)

Three strategies are suggested for teachers to use in developing the critical imagination of students: (1) the deconstruction of lived and told storylines; (2) the development of reflective ethical practice in line with post-structuralist understanding; and (3) the writing, telling, and adapting of stories that interrupt binary thinking. (SLD)

Examined longitudinally the relationship between mother-child spontaneous joint play and development of conduct problems in 60 preschoolers. Found that amount of joint play at age 3 predicted individual improvement in conduct problems at age 4, and this association was independent of initial level of conduct problems and hyperactivity, social…

This study examined the numeracy behavior of children in two nursery schools in Britain. Videotaped observations and field notes from children's free play sessions revealed that teacher intervention strategies (resource enhancement and thematic focusing) had a positive impact on the children's numeracy development. (MDM)

Examines children's developmental needs with regard to outdoor play areas, the types of equipment needed to encourage all kinds of play, and the advantages and disadvantages of homemade and commercial playground equipment and various playground materials. Discusses the role of safety standards, outlines requirements of the Americans with…

Examined gender differences in dominance and play among 48 preschoolers linked in girl-girl and girl-boy dyads. Findings reveal girl-girl dyads had more cooperative play, boys had higher functional play, and girls engaged in more dramatic play during feminine activities whereas boys displayed more dramatic play during masculine activities,…

Suggests becoming a master player is a critical learning task for young children. "Push-down" programs (direct teaching, work sheets, and drill), designed to give children a head start in school, fail to consider the active-learning mode in which young children are most competent. Notes that a developmentally appropriate classroom for 3- to 5-year…

This study investigated play behaviors in 30 pairs of children with and without disabilities. Children without disabilities perceived children with disabilities as playmates, but noted that limitations in communication and behavior problems made it difficult to maintain fuller friendship. (Contains references.) (Author/PB)

Discusses the importance for children of playing outdoors. Describes playground types (traditional, creative, and environmental), a vision of the ideal playground, and specific types of outdoor places that most benefit children, including places for active motor play and places to "be human." (EV)

This study investigated the role of context in mothers' interventions in their preschoolers' peer relationship problems. In response to a series of videotaped vignettes depicting common peer relationship problems, mothers suggested using more discussion in aggressive situations and more encouragement in initiating play situations. Mothers would…

A study involving 14 mothers with high-functioning children (ages 8-17) with autism and 14 with typical children found both groups tended to have same-gender and same-age friendships. However, friendships of children with autism differ compared with typical children's on number of friends, friendship duration, frequency of meetings, and…