Discusses the use of a video camera to record and extend young children's early literacy development through their dramatic play. Suggests that teachers and families can use the camera to capture child-constructed stories and then follow through with discussion; the video can also be used over time, like a portfolio, to evaluate children's…

This seven-year study investigated facets of preschoolers' activity choices and use of physical facilities, including the effects of specific play sites on social relationships. Results showed that group makeup, and gender can affect play choices, while relationships between physical environment and play were undetermined. Different patterns of…

The everyday experiences of one Danish (15 children) and one U.S. (17 children) kindergarten class were studied. In the U.S. kindergarten, teaching of the basics predominated, while play was the main activity in the Danish kindergarten. How these approaches contributed to motivation for learning in the United States and social competence in…

Sociodramatic play, which combines role play and dramatization, is suitable for elementary and secondary language classrooms. It is learner centered and caters to varying language abilities. Children draw upon their existing experiences as the basis for their play. Teacher input is essential. The paper examines advantages and disadvantages of this…

Research has indicated a gender disparity in early education environments in terms of student-teacher interaction, fostering of different types of play, varying use of praise and gender-specific messages, and stereotypical messages in literature or play materials. This article outlines areas within a classroom that teachers or child care providers…

Explores current issues in preschool and primary education. Discusses U.S. fourth graders' low scores on the 1994 National Assessment for Educational Progress, skills needed in the 21st century, guiding principles on developmentally appropriate curriculum for young children, anti bias curriculum to address student diversity, comprehensive family…

Examines early identification and intervention for students with learning disabilities in inclusive classrooms. Early signs of learning disabilities in motor, adaptive, communication and language, cognitive, and social-emotional skills are described. Techniques of functional assessment such as curriculum-based measurement, play assessment, and…

Examines the possibility that parent-child relationships contain horizontal qualities paralleling comparable qualities in child-peer relationships. Argues that these qualities allow children to experience and practice horizontal skills later used with peers. Focuses on reciprocity and shared power, especially in parent-child play and control…

Presents thoughts of teachers (many from Lee Expressive Arts Elementary School in Columbia, Missouri) on why they engage in the expressive arts and literature. Offers specific examples of how teachers explore life and literature through drama, music, and art with 22 children's books. (SR)

A study involving two children (ages 7-8) with autism and eight typical peers investigated the efficacy of Pivotal Response Training implemented by multiple peers in enhancing social competency of children with autism. After treatment, the subjects engaged in high levels of interactions, initiations, varied toy play, and language use. (Author/CR)

A study examined the effects of a video-based intervention combining self-assessment, self-modeling, discrimination training, and behavioral rehearsal on two sets of parents' interactions with their children with autism during self-care tasks and social play with their siblings. The intervention increased parents' social prompts and altered…

Describes a movement in which teachers are discovering that the schoolyard presents a broad palette of opportunities to enrich their teaching. Argues for the importance of the schoolyard environment as a teaching tool and source of nourishment for the humanities and the creative process. Includes descriptions of formal schoolyard gardening…

Compared behavior of 52 Costa Rican 12- to 23-month-olds with iron-deficiency anemia to that of 139 infants with better iron status. Found that iron-deficient infants maintained closer contact with caregivers; showed less pleasure and playfulness; were more wary, hesitant, and easily tired; made fewer attempts at test items; and attended less to…

A study in a south Texas preschool found that Mexican American children, when given the opportunity to engage in sociodramatic play, displayed various language functions needed for the development of early literacy skills. The preschoolers created elaborate monologues and dialogue in their native language (sometimes in their second language),…

Discusses methodological problems of Sigman and Ruskin's longitudinal study. Questions whether determination of specificity, universality, and uniqueness is appropriately addressed by between-syndrome comparisons. Describes problems with group matching, offers a method of partially correcting them, and argues that group designs have limited…