An experimental study designed to examine the relative effectiveness of operant conditioning and play therapy in improving the communication and social functioning of psychotic children was presented and discussed. (Author)

Describes a study of children with perceptual difficulties which found that the conditions were (1) psychosomatic in nature; (2) dependent on parent-child relationships; (3) best treated by a combination of group instruction, parent counseling, and play therapy. (AN)

Defines educational drama as role-taking" which consists of creative work" and coping-work." (Author/SW)

Children and teachers were observed during free-play periods to study the relationships among children's locus of control, children's behaviors, and teacher-child interactions. Results indicated no significant relationships between children's behaviors and locus of control. Teachers reinforced task and peer involvement in internal children and…

Emphasizes the importance of play therapy for hospitalized children. Describes separation anxiety and psychological patterns including protest, despair, and denial. Describes the play therapy program at Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, which helps children express their fears and cope with anxiety. (JAC)

Free, spontaneous play provides the child with opportunities to practice problem-solving and language use. Nonetheless, results from laboratory observations of children's play indicate that adults and instructional materials can enrich the play of young children. (PP)

A conceptual framework for management of phonological disorders is proposed. The framework includes a 10-element system for describing the structure of management programs and invokes a diagnostic classification system for determining appropriate management content. Data from three serial studies of management structure describe four modes of…

Puppets can be used in the classroom to teach, to tell stories, to introduce new students or books, and to develop children's cooperation, creativity, and coordination. Instruction on how to make and manipulate puppets, plan puppet plays, and locate information on puppetry are given. (PP)

Argues that imagery can play an important part in a variety of academic subjects. Provides instructions concerning the method by which imagery can be used in such diverse fields as the development of social skills, the identification of interests and career areas, and creative productivity. (FL)

Findings of the three experiments indicated that normal children can successfully teach social responses (i.e., delayed imitation, cooperative play, and verbalization of positive comments) to withdrawn mentally retarded peers (8 to 13 years old). Effects generalized across stimulus and response conditions, while the levels of responding were…

The most critical problem for deaf children is the lack of communication and its effect on social development. Play and physical education activities provide deaf children with opportunities for socialization and motor growth. Sixteen movement activities are offered that can be implemented in homogeneous or mainstreaming situations. (JN)

Argues that in planning a suitable environment for dramatic play, the following aspects should be taken into consideration: teacher attitudes to dramatic play, provision of a play-conducive environment, and appropriate selection of space, time, peers, and equipment. (Author/MP)

Pre, post, and follow-up assessments showed that two tutoring programs (fantasy play tutoring and skill tutoring) had equal impact on the development of nursery school children's cognitive and linguistic development abilities. However, fantasy play tutoring showed a greater potential for maintaining or increasing social participation. (Author/MP)

Indicates that children acquire the abilities of adults and an adult mode of life when they act out the world around them through play. Suggests that children should not be deprived of play time because it increases their cultural awareness as well as their physical development. (DB)