This monograph presents some basic theoretical perspectives on play and its relationship to culture, and outlines some basic concepts that can be used to obtain information about cultural differences between children in a school setting. Emphasis is placed on the conceptual and methodological tools normally used in anthropological fieldwork and…

This review provides an overview of research relating the physical environment of the early childhood educational setting to children's behavior. Findings on space in relation to fixed and semi-fixed features (partitions, playground equipment, furnishings); spatial density; the arrangement of equipment and the division of space; the amount,…

Play sessions of two Mexican children (one five and one eight years old) with English-speaking friends were recorded and the use of language play was examined. Language play is viewed as a non-literal, rule-bound use of language that children engage in for its own sake, either cooperatively or competitively. Practice opportunities and children's…

Involving seven Tucson school districts, a children's home, and a child guidance clinic, the Covert School (Children Offered Vital Educational Retraining and Therapy) was designed to initiate, compare, and evaluate educational approaches to the problems of emotionally disturbed children. Six distinct approaches were implemented, including a…

This is a compilation of articles selected from American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, and Recreation publications and conferences 1970-76 in which elementary school physical education issues are identified and explored. Articles address research, practice, and theory in the areas of: perspectives for elementary school physical…

This booklet contains a collection of practical resources and activity suggestions for family day care mothers. Materials were gathered in 1973 as part of a 2-year project to train family day care mothers. (A summary report of the project is also provided.) Materials related to the various aspects of providing a safe, healthy, educational…

As part of a series of guides designed for instruction of American Indian children and youth, this resource guide constitutes a pictorial essay on life of the Apache child from 1880 to the early 20th century. Each of the 12 photographs is accompanied by an historical narrative which describes one or more cultural aspects of Apache childhood.…

This paper presents a comprehensive review of research literature in the area of interracial awareness development in preschool children and highlights key issues for future research. An historical look at the study of racial attitudes reveals three major research techniques. The first type utilizes pictures, line drawings, or actual photos. The…

The impact of informal learning on young children in the course of their play activities is discussed. A major objective is to emphasize that informal learning can help lay the base for multiculturalism in elementary education. It enables children from different cultural backgrounds to relate to and understand each other through play activities…

Coupled with justifications of nondescriptive and intuitive levels, research from Piaget's developmental theory is used to support play as a viable part of a day care curriculum. Within the context of Piaget's theory of play, three developmental stages or classifications of play are distinguished: (1) sensorimotor practice play (infants); (2)…

The purpose of this study of social development was to begin to assess the effects of an early, continuing group educational/child care experience on basically family-reared children. Two experimental groups and one control group of young children were involved. In the "long-term" experimental group, five children (mean C.A.=16 months) met one…

The New Zealand early childhood education experience is studied in order to discover practices which might be adapted for use in the United States. Data are presented on social and governmental factors influencing the development of early childhood education in New Zealand. Preschool education is conducted by private volunteer groups subsidized by…

The Second Grade Underachievers Program seeks to test the efficacy of educationally oriented play groups as a remedial educational technique as contrasted with individual tutoring, or a combination of tutoring plus educational play groups. The program attempts to interest and involve neighborhood agencies in more after-school programs that are…

A major purpose of this text is to present a broad program of varied and vigorous physical education activities for the preschool and early primary school child. The text also includes chapters dealing with equipment, effective teaching, effective class management, lesson planning, and movement education. (CS)

This textbook, designed for use in college undergraduate programs, presents some ideas, materials, and methods for establishing a successful curriculum within a child care program. Included is a review of child care in the United States, ideas for working with parents and involving the community, suggestions for indoor and outdoor play and for…