Examined Head Start children's conceptions of and expectations for future schooling, determined whether participation in a Transition Demonstration could affect these, and explored how these are related to children's academic achievement. Found two major themes in conceptions of school: play and the cognitive or learning environment. Expectations…

This study compared a group of nine children (ages 3 to 8) with congenital blindness and an autism-like syndrome with nine sighted children. Children with autism had more severe abnormalities in terms of their relationships with people and emotional expressions, and were more impaired in the area of pretend play. (CR)

A study assessed the relationship between play and adaptive behavior among 13 preschool children with developmental disabilities. Children were assessed every six months over a three-year period. While adaptive behavior increased by almost one standard deviation, appropriate play showed little overall change over the three-year period. (Author/CR)

Discusses play in children with severe and profound disabilities. The focus is on toys and play material and the role of adults, such as parents, caregivers, and teachers. Theoretical aspects of children's play are also briefly described. (Author/CR)

Analyzes observations of primary students in a small Interactive Science Centre using a model of play, practice, and problem solving derived from a range of literature. Identifies features of the creative phase of the activities. Contains 31 references. (DDR)

Used ethnographic techniques to examine the knowledge of American teachers who had taught young Japanese children, regarding the role of culture in Japanese children's play. Found that Japanese children's play reflected the cultural value of interdependence, but that nonsocial play was also present. Teachers reported few play differences between…

Reviews concepts and practices in the enhancement of peer relationships among young children in the context of play experiences with particular emphasis upon the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities. Examines definitions and typical developmental patterns of social competence and offers some best-practice guidelines based on…

Examined differences in reactions to children's aggressive play of mothers with aggressive or nonaggressive preschoolers. Found that mothers of aggressive preschoolers were more likely than other mothers to stop aggressive play, make value judgments, withdraw when aggressive play occurred, and make no effort to join or modulate the play. Findings…

A study compared two approaches for teaching cooperative play to six children (ages 4-12) with autism. In one approach, children observed cooperative play before participating. In the second approach, participants verbally described the modeled play episode before participating. Participants failed to acquire cooperative play until the verbal…

Claims there is a missing link between the two seemingly independent stories in Will Hobbs' novel "Bearstone." This missing link can be found through looking at four kinds of play that occur in the novel. (NH)

Summarizes the author's dissertation following a group of bilingual first graders as they created an opera with their teacher and an artist-in-residence. Summarizes the opera process using the libretto format. Discusses the setting, perspectives of all of the collaborators, what was learned, and the educational implications. (SR)

This study compared the speech of five children (ages 5 and 6) with Down syndrome across single word samples elicited from tests and connected speech samples elicited during play. Analysis indicated that connected speech samples provided fewer total words and word tokens and sometimes failed to target certain later developing phonemes. Clinical…

Appalled at a half-dozen fifth-graders' exclusionary and unsportsmanlike behavior on a new basketball court, a resourceful principal intervened next recess to pick teams and set rules. Everyone was allowed to play. Arguing, teasing, and intimidation resulted in benching. Eventually, about 40 children of both sexes and all sizes were playing in two…

Discusses the role of online searchers and training needs. Highlights include legal research training; organizational learning, including adult education and lifelong learning; chance and play in learning; training tips that focus on adult learners; and Internet training resources. (LRW)

Explores the notion that some social interactions are more conducive to the construction of knowledge than others. Describes the use of argumentation as a learning tool during play by analyzing transcripts of the interactions of four-and-a-half year olds. Derives implications for early childhood education from these examples and from a theoretical…