Uses a Weberian sociological approach to examine teachers' beliefs and discussions about play. Teachers held differing beliefs and their actions were related to their belief systems. Reasons for intervention fell into three Weberian constructs: cultural, social-political, and economic influences. (Author/BB)

Presents an account of observations, descriptions, and interpretations of children's representations. Offers examples of ways teachers and parents can help children expand their language, actions, and images to symbolize their experiences. (BB)

When administered to 34 infants with handicaps, Bayley Scale mental age scores were an average of 2.1 months higher than Estimated Developmental Ages (EDA's) calculated from the Uzgiris and Hunt Scales. The EDA's were significantly and positively related to Bayley mental age, and sensorimotor play emerged as the best single correlate. (Author/JDD)

Offers strategies which preschool teachers can use to facilitate children's problem-solving skills through play in the context of the Play and Problem-Solving Model. Discusses the clues children give teachers when they need help and what kind of help children need to solve problems. (BB)

Explores the theme of "entrances" in children's literature and film from the physical, emotional, and symbolic perspectives. Materials containing each type of theme are suggested. Programming ideas for developing the theme using art, storytelling, dramatic play, and creative writing activities are provided. A resource list including 91…

Three field experiments involving 145 students in kindergarten, grade 2, and grade 4 examined the effects of different recess timing regimens on children's behavior. Results in terms of prerecess inattention and social interaction on the playground are discussed in relation to play deprivation theory and massed versus distributed practice. (SLD)

Discusses ways science can be included in every activity of the preschoolers' day. Describes four characteristics of young children that are important to remember when planning science activities. Provides guidelines for developing and evaluating science activities. Presents a preschool unit on insects and offers suggestions for incorporating…

Discusses the concept of "Velcro time": a period in infants' lives when they show an increased interest in books and in their primary caregiver, and particularly, in his or her use of speech. (BB)

Examined extent to which sixth and seventh grade students' (n=133) preference for outdoor activity changed during middle school. Found that boys', compared to girls', preference to play outdoors existed only in sixth grade. Factor analyses indicated three factors describing students: Teachers' Choice, Active Female Oriented, and Outdoor Male…

Presents three different articles on social studies. Includes an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of textbook use in social studies and a teaching method using puppets to represent historical or political personalities for debate, discussion, and interviews. Describes a program in which students learn about geography and other cultures by…

A survey of 48 parents of young children in rural Native communities in Ontario examined children's play activities at home; reasons for utilizing the community day care center; and parent attitudes about play, cultural education, the value of the center to the community, and educational activities at the center. (SV)

Examined social and cognitive play behaviors of preschool children in comparison to tests of convergent and divergent thinking. High levels of nonsocial activity were associated with low scores on the convergent thinking measure. There were negative relationships between nonsocial play and divergent thinking. (GLR)

Examines some of the ways in which young children learn about aspects of economics and industry, and discusses some of the reasons that have been advanced in the United Kingdom for the encouragement of this learning. (MDM)

This study explored effects of social levels of play (isolate, dyadic, group, and team) on play behavior of autistic children in a leisure education/adapted physical education program with nondisabled peers. Findings indicate that structured integrated activities involving higher levels of social play elicit a higher frequency of appropriate play…

Maintains that young children should be allowed to play with water and mud on the playground. Provides teachers with suggestions on ways to plan for such outdoor activities. (BB)