An intensive, naturalistic, observational study was conducted of a preschool class which integrated eight handicapped and five nonhandicapped children. An attempt was made to identify social and physical settings which maximized interaction among members of the two groups. Observations (N=2,306) of the social and play behaviors were recorded over…

The first phase of an ongoing study of communication in a naturalistic situation in which children talked to familiar children is described in this paper. The situation was one that encouraged pretend (or dramatic) play. Research was focused on (1) the amount of pretend play; (2) the amount of speech used for planning or managing the play; and (3)…

Behaviors that characterize play with convergent and divergent materials and the effects of play on convergent and divergent problem solving were examined in this study. Seventy-two 3- and 4-year-old children were assigned to one of three conditions: (1) play with convergent materials; (2) play with divergent materials; and (3) non-play control.…

This presentation underscores the importance of play and outlines a theory of play in terms of ego-psychology and a broadly defined concept of culture. Play is described as the royal road to the collective ego called "culture." At the same time play also enables aspects and parts of culture to be changed. While children should be encouraged to…

The purpose of this book is to provide an opportunity for investigating drama by a series of units, each of which examines an aspect of drama or theater. The 20 units discuss such topics as the definition of drama, dialogue in a poem by W. H. Auden, various aspects of the stage, improvisation, the visual impact of plays, "The Death of Grass" by…

Properly planned outdoor play areas can be an important aid in the rehabilitation and learning experiences of handicapped children. For a handicapped child the playground becomes a major training and treatment facility as well as a play experience. This bibliography is intended to assist designers in collecting the necessary data and information…

Although there are exceptions to the rules, research has shown a relationship of certain body types to given sports. Recent research has also shown a correlation between body build and personality traits, and it appears that particular athletic activities attract certain types of individuals. For instance, two researchers in separate studies…

Playfulness, a trait previously identified in kindergarten and high school pupils and found related to divergent thinking, was investigated in an exploratory study as a possible teacher characteristic. Sixteen teachers completed an open-ended questionnaire aimed at defining playfulness in teachers. A content analysis produced eight component…

The selection of play materials has long been of concern to parents and educators. Many play materials simply do not engage children. In this study toys were openly displayed for free selection and play within a children's recreation center. Data were collected on the subject population, toy selection and toy usage. The results indicated that…

The play behavior of young children is viewed as a behavioral manifestation of nonverbal thinking. Discussed are issues of relevance to the understanding of the development of thought in general and of the symbolic function in particular. A line of development is proposed which leads from early nonverbal thought as manifested in play, either…

This annotated bibliography on creative dramatics is categorized as follows: For the Uninitiated Teacher, Other Books, and Articles. A total of 47 entries comprises the bibliography. (DB)

A critical analysis is made of the content and assumptions of the many theories or explanations for play behavior. The seven chapters of the book are as follows. Chapter One, A Purview of the Problems, is a brief overview of the problems inherent in attempting to manage play, and the arguments for and against. The second chapter, Definitions of…

A descriptive history is presented of the Children's Theatre Association of Baltimore, an independent community children's theater, focusing on the years 1943-1966, the period in which founder Isabel Burger was in office. The Association's educational goals, influence, and contribution to the community are stressed. A major portion of the research…

The task of the school is to foster the diversity that is prized in families, homes, and the culture in general, but within a framework containing some common understandings. In searching for sources that might provide common and valuable foundations for curriculum workers, a number of sources were considered. Because the literature on play seemed…

Drama and movement bring delight, happiness, increased learning into every aspect of the English program. (JH)