Assessed continuity and change in diagnosis, intelligence, and language skills in children with autism, Down Syndrome, and other developmental delays, identifying precursors of gains in language skills and peer engagement in mid-school years. Found that early nonverbal communication and play skills predicted initiations of peer play for Down…

This pilot study examined the playground social behaviors of eight children (ages 6-10) with language impairments (LI) and their typical peers. Analysis of videotape recordings found LI children spent significantly less time interacting with peers and demonstrated significantly more withdrawn behaviors than did their peers, with group membership…

Explores children's play as social behavior in relation to cognitive style and identifies the social factors underlying both young children's play and cognitive style. Indicates that field-dependent children participated more in social play activities, while field-independent children engaged in more nonsocial play activities. Discusses the…

Describes how the young children of the Early Learning Center in the Chelsea (Massachusetts) school district learned about Igor Stravinsky's ballet suite, "The Firebird." Explains that children in three kindergarten classes depicted the ballet's characters in a participatory performance. Highlights some qualitative observations. (CMK)

This study examined the impact of play activities, teachers' predictions of children's sociability, and intervention fidelity variables on levels of interaction between three preschoolers with autism and their nondisabled peers. Results indicated that social reciprocity and peer effort correlated highly with children's levels of social…

This case study reports the effects of musical interaction therapy (MIT) on the social and symbolic development of a young autistic girl. MIT fosters interpersonal contact and joint attention by synchronizing live music to adult-child interactions. Results offer preliminary evidence that MIT facilitates playful joint action formats that generalize…

Describes types of puppets, including finger, glove, hand, shadow, marionette, and mechanical. Gives reasons for using puppets with children ages two through seven, including enhancing language and thinking skills. Explains how teachers can introduce tough issues such as AIDS and abuse through puppetry. Details a sequence of activities for…

Counseling approaches for elementary school students using play and art therapy techniques can help overcome cultural barriers. Discusses benefits of play and art therapy for helping culturally different students overcome barriers to school success, and reviews two programs that use art and play therapy as primary tools. (JPS)

Addresses the importance of climbing in early childhood and issues of facilitating children's climbing skills. Considers why children climb, when they learn, how they climb, socializing the climbing child, and creating safe, developmentally appropriate climbing environments for children. (JPB)

Observed in a preschool classroom adult-child and child-child interaction normally considered pre- or early-gender segregation (30-42 months) to explore possible root causes of gender segregation during childhood. Found that adult-child social interactions initiated by female children were very different from those initiated by male children.…

Examines whether low-income preschool children's peer play interactions relate to learning behaviors and problem behaviors, and differ according to age and gender. Positive interactive play behavior was associated with active engagement in classroom learning activities, whereas disconnection in play related to inattention, passivity, and lack of…

Reports were elicited from 56 Bengali parents of children (ages 1-18) with cerebral palsy on activities they engaged in with their child and on the toys the child possessed. The majority reported spending time playing with their child and all respondents named at least two toys belonging to their child. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

Presents five articles on using creative dramatics in early childhood education: (1) "Drama: A Rehearsal for Life" (Julia Gabriel); (2) "Fairy Tales Enhance Imagination and Creative Thinking" (Olga Sidlovskaya); (3) "Starting with a Story" (Ruth Stotter); (4) "Using Creative Dramatics to Include All…

Reviews caregiver cautions for child water play. Presents summer water play activities appropriate for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children. (DLH)

Discusses Sue Fraser's work promoting the Reggio Emilia model of early childhood education, which emphasizes relationships as the program core rather than play. Considers the role of play, structured learning, and relationships in young children's learning, noting the influence of the Reggio Emilia approach. (JPB)