This document consists of four quarterly issues of a newsletter for Illinois early childhood directors, providing information on current issues in early childhood education. Regular features in each issue include "The Director's Toolbox," delineating practical suggestions for directors related to program policies and staff issues;…

A Vygotskyan review of children's language examines language samples of a 7-year-old boy at home, at a birthday party, and at play in a sandbox. The language samples indicate common patterns, including his use of tools and symbol together in play. A common thread in the samples is his involvement with high tech tools of futuristic toys. Vygotsky…

The role of block building in children's learning was studied by a student teacher who observed a teacher's block building curriculum in a combined first and second grade class. The purpose was to clarify the linkage between thinking and doing, spoken intention and actual consequences, and planning and spontaneity in the curriculum. The cycle of…

This paper discusses the role of art in the education of young children, particularly in Australia. The first section reviews H. Gardner's theory (1983) that children need to be provided with opportunities to develop multiple forms of intelligence, one of which is intelligence relating to art. The value of play in children's education as put…

The study sought to examine developmental processes of substitution in the pretend play of Down's syndrome children and to clarify the onset mechanism of subskills in decontextualization, which refers to the progress from imitation to substitution and then to invention. Eighteen Japanese children, aged 29-55 months, with Down's syndrome were given…

A first-grade teacher's classroom investigations support earlier research findings that when dramatic play is presented in a thematic context and related literacy props are provided, the children will use literacy behavior as part of their play. The teacher's research also indicated that adult intervention, guidance, and modeling of literacy…

This book describes a study of childhood experiences with creating personal space in the outdoors, the role these spaces play in children's evolving sense of self, and implications of place-making for education. Chapter 1 describes the author's personal interests that led to the study, the study population, and the way in which each study site was…

This study was designed to assess genetic influence on behavioral inhibition and its varying expression in 92 monozygotic and 86 dizygotic twin pairs. Infant behavior and mother-child interaction were observed and videotaped during structured play sessions at age 14, 20, 24, and 36 months. Analysis of the results suggests that most of the overlap…

Friedrich Froebel, an early advocate of the use of play in kindergarten teaching, argued that the ultimate goal of education was developing the creative person. According to Froebel, teachers could promote creativity through play by using gifts, occupations, and mother play songs. By contrast, Johann Herbart called for a subject centered…

This book offers ideas that can help families find the simplicity of enjoying nature. These outdoor activities address the young child, leave room for the child's own interpretation and improvisation, and allow adults to look at nature through the eyes of their children. Respect for nature is an underlying message throughout the book. The over 100…

The effect of the presence of a parent on the frequency and complexity of the social behavior of children at two cooperative preschools was studied. It was expected that securely attached children would explore their environment more comprehensively and competently when a parent was present than would insecurely attached children. Parents…

The relationship between children's play patterns and types of teacher intervention were studied in four preschool play settings. Subjects were preschool head teachers and children in 10 preschools. Each classroom was observed during the free play period on five consecutive days. Children's play behaviors were coded according to 12 categories of…

Describes the experiences provided for disadvantaged children aged 4-14 years through an enrichment program, begun in 1973, which aims to foster feelings of closeness and love in a rural setting. Groups of 20 children are bused to a farm each day for two one-week periods during the summer. (ED)

This study attempted to refine the assessment of the effectance of four-year-old children through observation of their play. Two scales were developed; the first scale defined organization, involvement, and interpersonal responsiveness in play while the second operationally defined psychosexual content of play. The results confirmed the validity…

A workshop leader and consultant makes an impassioned plea for more and better movement education. Provides ideas for focused movement explorations and discusses the overall goals and advantages of this new breed of physical education. (ED)