Easy-to-do toys and activities for infants and toddlers are described, and instructions are included for making and using them. They are time-consuming to make in some instances and may not be very durable, but when an adult makes toys for children they are setting a pattern that helps children become inventive and resourceful later on. The toys…

This study examines the roles of freedom and play in creativity instruction. A trial operation of a creativity training program is described including a workshop with 18 sixth- and eighth-grade students. The program emphasizes three basic concepts: freedom, playfulness and warm interpersonal relationships. Group activities and dramatic techniques…

The author examines several images of the nature of man and focuses on "homo ludens"--man as one who plays. The author then examines the role of play in children and concludes that the spirit of play and the world of make-believe must be restored in learning and teaching if our education is to help raise future generations that care, share, and…

The author maintains that most adults are inadequate models for play and other enjoying choices. He suggests that all adults, and particularly counselors and teachers, demonstrate that they are playful people who can relax and enjoy life. (Author/HMV)

Advocates the use of peer and cross-age teaching in the elementary grades. Play as a method for peer teaching is emphasized. (CM)

The effects of social density on the behaviors and perceptions of five-year-old children in four- and eight-person groups were investigated. Differential effects of density for sex and for preferred personal space were examined. Five factors emerged and were examined: Activity-Aggression-Anger, Positive Interactions, Distress-and-Nonplay, Feeling…

The Nevada State School and Hospital has begun a program in social dramatics aimed at bringing retarded adults into social responsibility. (Author)

Three methods of assessing gender differences in the social behavior of children were compared and a wide range of behaviors were used to match what individual boys and girls are observed to do in a natural environment against what they are expected to do. Subjects were 72 kindergarten children from New Zealand. (MP)

Presents basic information for teachers about how to use role-play, dramatic play, and simulations in the elementary social studies classroom. Explains how to proceed through the introduction or warm-up, the activity itself, and the follow-up evaluation. (AV)

Describes the Parent As A Teacher Inventory (PAAT), a composite attitude scale in which parents describe: (1) their feelings about various aspects of the parent-child interactive system, (2) their standards for assessing the importance of various aspects of child behavior and (3) their values concerning child behavior. (SB)

The creative use of leisure time will become increasingly more important as our society moves away from the work ethic philosophy. (JD)

Through his play a child extends himself into areas which he has difficulty entering verbally. If counselors are to communicate effectively with children, they must consider this important dimension and provide at least limited opportunity for the child to utilize play as a natural part of his effort to communicate. (Author)

Describes how children in rural Venezuela are trained in agricultural skills by the extended family. The highly organized training encourages play and exploration as important elements in familiarzing children with implements and methods of food production. It is suggested that rural school planners draw ideas from the rural family's educative…

A study indicates that adult leisure activities are evenly divided between having started in childhood and in adult years; a large percentage of these activities originated within the setting of the family as a social unit. (JD)