Asserts that play is closely tied to cognitive, socioemotional, and physical development. Defines play and gives reasons for its importance in early childhood education, using Parten's (1932) and Smilansky's (1968) categories of play, along with Vygotskian and Piagetian play theories. Discusses the teacher's role as facilitator of classroom play.…

This collection of seven articles focuses on playgrounds, looking at such issues as the importance of play in child development, playground injuries and safety (including international playground safety), community playground improvement projects, and shock-absorbing playground surfaces. (SM)

This study investigated mother-child dyads of differing social status engaged in fantasy play (children were age 54 to 80 months). Contrary to expectations, high-status dyads did not produce more or more complex utterances during fantasy play than low-status dyads. Low-status dyads were characterized by more negative affect and child behavior…

Explores the interrelationships between metaphor, play, and drama, and the roles they play in the development of sociolinguistic competence. Focuses on the role of symbolic play in the development of metaphor and on the importance of metaphor in discourse. Also examines the nature of autism, a condition marked by an absence of both symbolic play…

The purposes of this article are to present the substantive results of anatomically detailed (A/D) doll studies, to critically evaluate the methodology used in A/D doll research, and to suggest directions for future research. This review generally shows that play with A/D dolls is not traumatizing to children. (LSR)

Examined maternal and infant behaviors, behavioral coordination, maternal response, and nonresponse in relation to security of attachment. Subjects were 40 Euro-American mothers and 39 Central American immigrant mothers studied when their infants were 4-, 8-, and 12-months-old. Found that individual differences on measures of maternal response and…

Suggests that contrary to popular perception, children are becoming increasingly alienated from the natural environment, especially for play. A study done in Leeds, United Kingdom investigates how the outdoor play of today's children differs from that of their parents' generation. Findings include issues for planners and landscape architects…

The relationship between play scores and communication skills, measured in two ways, was investigated in 19 young children with Down syndrome. Results found the relationship between observations of children's play skills and their language competence was strongest when play scores were compared to mothers' reports of communicative competence.…

A study evaluated a more-to-less, child-directed continuum of intervention to increase toy play among six toddlers with multiple disabilities. Toddlers were provided with repeated choices of preferred toys in a child-directed manner. Nonprompted toy play for two toddlers increased. Toy play also increased for another child after staff prompts and…

Identifies eight categories of curriculum modifications that teachers can use in their early childhood classrooms to help children with disabilities and other special needs participate in play activities. Describes and includes examples of modifications relating to environmental support, materials adaptation, simplifying the activity, using child…

Four articles address topics related to projects and themes: (1) "Supporting Young Children as Activists: Anti- bias Project Work" (Pelo); (2) "A Study of Hands: Chicago Commons Explores Reggio Emilia" (Harger, Rodriguez, & Schroeder); (3) "A Personal Experience with Portfolio Books" (Meinen); and (4)…

Focuses on major themes in Vygotsky's theory of learning and development; compares the theoretical and practical implications of these major principles with those of Montessori. Considers both Vygotsky's and Montessori's views on the mechanisms of child development and methods of study; the relationship of teaching, learning, and development;…

Emphasizes the educational benefits derived from research in dramatics arts. Cites research indicating that role playing has a positive effect on oral language, moral reasoning, and self-esteem. Points out that teachers and administrators do not include dramatic instruction in their curriculum, and offers ways to make dramatic arts more appealing.…

This paper argues the value of drama processes in science classrooms as a way of enabling students to learn openly from and with each other and of enhancing higher order learning skills. Role-playing, focus, and tension are described as constructs to guide the pedagogy of drama processes. (YP)

The preverbal communication of four children, aged three-six with severe learning difficulties was observed in free-play sessions at home and at school. In two of the children, results indicated that the home was a more facilitating environment for communication than the school; results were inconclusive for the other children. (Author/JDD)