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)

Presents a case study to illustrate the impact that an emergent literacy environment both at home and at school can have on literacy acquisition. Highlights interviews with 31 nursery school children about their perceptions of reading. Notes that hypotheses formed about language learning by age 3 offer food for thought in view of increasingly…

Describes the role of playworkers, nonformal educators who facilitate children's opportunities for unstructured and structured play experiences in a variety of settings. Identifies six issues confronting society today and indicates how playworkers can help address each: increased urbanization, inappropriate play objects, lack of physical play,…

Suggests that studies of the development of children with disorders of motor function afford opportunities, as yet unexploited, to understand the importance of motor function to overall child development. Maintains that Pellegrini and Smith's (1998) review provides a challenge to developmentalists from many disciplines to use their natural model…

Offers suggestions for selecting appropriate classroom materials and designing an early-childhood classroom in which children learn through play. Focuses on the decisions a beginning teacher needs to make, such as selecting the curriculum, identifying appropriate learning areas, finding intriguing learning materials, selecting comfortable…

This study examined the importance of roles teachers undertake to promote literacy in kindergarten classrooms. Content analyses of videotaped play identified, defined, and described the roles teachers assumed in promoting children's literacy development in the context of play, including discussion leader, storyteller, examiner, instructional…

Investigated how play in the natural environment of three Norwegian kindergartens might stimulate 5- to 7-year-olds' motor fitness, focusing on the affordances of the landscape for versatile play. Found that children using the forest as a playscape performed better in motor skills than children on a traditional playground. Play activities related…

Describes the interactions among 4-year olds engaged in outdoor play at a preschool, where overnight rains filled the center's sand area and students improvised activities in the wet sand. Notes how, during the discovery exercise, students worked together as teams. Concludes that the measure of quality in early childhood programs must not be…

A naturalistic behavioral assessment and intervention program over a 3-year period for a New Zealand girl (age 5) with Rett syndrome is described. The most significant reduction in hand mannerisms and other excess behaviors was related to positive social interactions and play that allowed for communication at the affective level. (Author/CR)

Suggests that if educators and parents both looked more to the interests of the child, the concept of 'child' would be revised, as would the concept of 'self.' Explains that in the classroom, children are forced to behave as adults would have them behave, rather than learning in modes that reflect a child's natural behaviors. (NB)

This exploratory study examined effects of literacy- enriched play centers and the emergent literacy of 5-year-old kindergartners. Qualitative analysis indicated that a language or literacy component can be integrated into kindergartners' play activities. Play activities promoted the invented symbols and messages in children's writing. Teachers…