Analyzes present transgenerational family therapy theory and discusses the change process. Individuation-relational ethics is presented in a (Hegelian) dialectic with intimacy. Suggests that playfulness, including paradox and absurdity, is an effective intervention into the intense emotionality of intergenerational work. (Author)

Discusses an approach to moral education that is based on developmental theory and involves creative dramatics and role playing of themes in children's books. Guidelines for preparatory exercises, an outline of the dramatization process, and a list of books classified according to feelings, emotions, and character traits illuminated in the stories…

Reviews four current approaches to play behavior of young children and concludes that using forms of play such as puppets and body action movements to rehearse story content is effective in aiding aural language comprehension and recall in young children. (FL)

Previous studies on fantasy play tutoring are reviewed and research reported on the effect of the adult-child contact in this situation. Matched samples of preschoolers received either play or skills tutoring with equivalent tutor verbal contact. In these circumstances, differential advantages to the play-tutored children were few. (SJL)

Cognitive styles are broad, systematic characteristics that influence people's responses in different situations. Field dependence independence (FDI) is the cognitive style construct that has generated the most research. Describes the FDI characteristics in young children's social behaviors, including their social orientation, people-versus-object…

Claims that role play has a crucial role in early childhood education. Discusses the essence of play, child development, and the concept of frame play, whereby children and teachers plan and play together. Provides two examples of frame play and discusses their educational implications. (MOK)

Notes the differences between kindergarten and first grade in terms of children's learning styles and curriculum. Points out that play can be useful in kindergarten and also first-grade classrooms. Suggests the use of child-initiated learning centers to provide age-appropriate and individually appropriate activities. Gives examples of…

Describes the success of the Academy of Holy Angels' Theater School, which has earned the reputation of producing quality original productions. Discusses aspects of the theater program, including a discussion of the required courses and the ways in which plays are scheduled. Describes the plays that have been produced. (AJL)

This study examined the effects of contact, books, and discussions on attitudes of kindergarten-age children (N=46) toward people with disabilities. At posttest, significant gains in acceptance were found only in a high-contact group who participated in a program designed to promote acceptance through storytime at school and home, structured play,…

This article defines emergent literacy, provides intervention principles for emergent literacy prevention and intervention activities, discusses the meaning of evidence-based practice, and describes three promising evidence-based approaches for emergent literacy intervention, including adult-child shared storybook reading, literacy-enriched play…

This article describes success of an intervention to improve the social-communicative interactions of six Head Start children (age 3) at risk for delays in language and social skills. Skills targeted included: commenting about one's own play actions and actions of peers, asking and responding to peer questions, and taking turns. (Contains…

Analyzed free play of 24 preschoolers (3 to 4 years old), half of whom had disabilities. Found that the proportions of time that each child spent interacting with peers and with adults were negatively correlated for 21 of the children. After an adult had initiated an interaction with them, children were less likely to initiate interaction with a…

Investigated relations between children's attributes and peer play competence among African American preschoolers attending Head Start. Identified six distinctive profiles of personal attributes linked to adaptation in social functioning. Children with highly adaptable temperaments, strong ability to approach new situations, and above average…

Examined the types of play and social interactions in which nine preschoolers with disabilities engaged while at their chosen learning/activity centers in an inclusive program. Found individual differences in the amount of time spent in various centers, the number of different types of play engaged in, and in the amount of time spent in play of…