This study tested the hypothesis that pretreatment level of play would predict the rate of increase in prelinguistic, intentional requesting during prelinguistic communication intervention of 8 children (ages 21 to 30 months) with developmental disabilities. A positive relation was found between amount of transitional or symbolic play at baseline…

Examined nine infants' pretend play with mothers to determine pretend play's impact on children's emerging understanding of emotions so necessary to concepts of self. Found that the combination of talk and enactment characteristic of pretend play may facilitate communication about emotions--particularly fear and anger--that may be considered…

Examined social conflict in preschoolers' play. When children resolved conflicts, they behaved differently with friends than with acquaintances. Conciliatory gestures were used more often with friends than with acquaintances. The overwhelming majority of conflicts were resolved by children yielding to other children. (BG)

Though efforts to improve playground safety are consistent and ongoing, there has been no significant reduction in the rate of serious injuries. The article lists factors to consider when designing a safe playground, emphasizing the risk-taking inherent in children's play. (SM)

Interviews with 201 Boston-area professionals who work with child victims of sexual abuse found; that 147 used anatomically correct dolls; that 96.6 percent of these had received specific training; that 77.8 percent followed some standard protocol for interviewing; and that 97.3 percent had at least 1 year of experience with such dolls. (DB)

Found a relationship between enriched sociodramatic play experiences and increases in children's language performance in the year before the children entered kindergarten. (BC)

Describes the responses of children in kindergarten through second grade to reading aloud. Finds a proclivity toward a wide range of play with the action, sound, and rhythm of language related to the book's content. Suggests that verbal exclamations such as laughter, changing facial expressions, and imitative gestures are legitimate features of…

The whole-language movement is challenging educators to reconsider their early childhood programs and assumptions about children and learning. This article explores four promises of whole-language philosophy central to early childhood education (language, active learning, play, and home-school relationships), and explores some program…

Reviews three articles in this journal on pretend play. Emphasizes that, although the articles are provocative, a wider range of processes must be considered for a comprehensive theory of pretense. Argues that a complete theory of mind must successfully explain how pretense develops and becomes a socially shared activity. (MM)

Examines play as it relates to the development and expression of creativity in preschool youngsters and, specifically, the role of parents and the environment in the development and nurturance of such creativity in young children. Also discusses the educational implications of these findings. (MDM)

Describes the way one teacher utilizes a variety of language games by which the power of language is analyzed and fostered among students of English. Describes methods for engaging students in language games. Argues that games, to be effective, must give students a chance at success. (HB)

Investigated how well children knew their best friends and their characteristics and children's idea of the function of friends. Preschoolers were observed at play and interviewed. For 81% of the children, best-friend choice was confirmed by observations or teacher reports. Children were accurate about their best friends' characteristics and…

The classifications of and clustering in recall of 49 44- to 81-month old predominantly white children of gender-typed indoor and outdoor toys were studied. Results are discussed in terms of gender-differing play contexts. Boys and girls show distinctively different patterns in abilities to accurately classify toys. (SLD)

Discusses variations on the theme of personal identity that can be used in second-language instruction. Suggested techniques include "role-playing" using I.D. cards containing simple information such as name, age and physical characteristics and variations of "20 questions," where students must guess a mystery person's "identity" by asking…

This study compared anatomical doll play of 35 young children referred for possible sexual abuse with 35 controls. Six conclusions are drawn, including the following: anatomical dolls did not create undue anxiety; sexual abuse could not be diagnosed solely on the basis of doll play; and practitioners must rely on supporting evidence when…