A comparison and contrast is made between different notions and occurrences of play in daily life to highlight the sense of the importance of play in a physical education lesson. The meaning and definition of play are detailed, and its impact in and as part of actual learning is discussed. Two stories of real-life situations are described in which…

Preschool educators developed a library media learning and play center to enable children to "experience" a library; establish positive attitudes about the library; and encourage respect for self, others, and property. The center had the following areas: check-in and check-out desk, quiet reading section, computer center, listening center, video…

This study investigated patterns of social interaction among four preservice teachers and kindergarten children in the context of literacy-enriched play centers. Specifically, the study addressed the following questions: Is there a relationship between preservice teachers' beliefs about children's literacy knowledge and the way in which they…

The prevailing view of secrets as undesirable or unhealthy is challenged in this exploration of the meaning and significance of secrecy. As a crucial dimension of human development, secrets lead to a child's awareness of inner space and external worlds. This in turn leads to the development of a sense of self, personal responsibility, autonomy,…

This study used a qualitative approach in investigating one Finnish day care center, four Danish day care centers, and two Swedish day care centers. The study examined the "Nordic model" for day care, which is unique in that it combines education and care for children while parents are working. The study investigated the quality of…

This pilot study examined attitudes toward play and how play is facilitated among early childhood teachers, administrators, and college educators. Classroom observations, interviews, and questionnaires were used to identify attitudes toward the value and relevance of play for early childhood development and education, respondents' knowledge base…

In this study of prominent characteristics of parenting in the United States, France, and Japan, 72 mother-infant dyads were examined. The study focused on three prominent interactive domains of visual and vocal exchange between mother and baby (nurturing, social exchange, and didactic stimulation), examining their frequency of occurrence and…

Developed as a companion volume to "The Play's the Thing," this book defines and analyzes the concept of master player based on videotaped observations of preschool children at play. An in-depth discussion reveals the multi-faceted nature of play, individual differences in both teachers' and children's styles, and the complexity of…

Play is a central facilitating element of early development. As a child plays, he or she practices spontaneously cognitive, emotional, and motor abilities. This research project, part of a larger project on early intervention with young disabled children, investigated the play of children with a motor handicap. The sample consisted of 61 disabled…

Intended for use in Florida training programs for caregivers of infants and toddlers with disabilities, this guide presents an overview of the Model of Interdisciplinary Training for Children with Handicaps (MITCH); offers a user's guide to the series; and provides specific information for presenting Module 6, which focuses on planning an…

In an attempt to provide a model of language intervention tailored to toddler needs, this poster session gives an overview of a playgroup program implemented by a speech-language pathologist and an early intervention specialist. The program's aim is to improve communicative abilities while maintaining the integrity of the child-caregiver…

This text offers case studies, models, and specific techniques to assist children, teenagers, and adults with disabilities to participate more fully in local school and neighborhood social and leisure activities. Three basic themes are stressed: first, that of using a community leisure facilitator to support people with disabilities in community…

This paper briefly describes a unit of study or program called "Africa Revisited," which gives students an opportunity to read African folktales and take part in making them come alive through sociodramatics, improvisations, puppetry, and creative writing. The paper's five main sections are as follows: (1) Project Overview; (2) Project…

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of seven chemistry learning centers for use in an ongoing preschool education program. The seven centers piloted were: (1) Observing Color Changes; (2) Making Bubbles; (3) Using a Thermometer; (4) Balancing; (5) Classifying Colors; (6) Cooking; and (7) Sink or Float. All of the centers…

This series of 10 short publications addresses topics relevant to early childhood development. Topics discussed include: (1) the ethnic traditions and unique characteristics of every child; (2) suggestions to working parents for coping with their family obligations; (3) suggestions for activities parents can engage in with their young children;…