This study of 18 preschoolers' conversational responsiveness in an integrated classroom setting during free play found that language-impaired and speech-impaired children were ignored by their peers and responded less often when a peer initiated to them. Results suggest that peer interaction difficulties may be concomitant consequences of early…

Examined the effects of thematic fantasy play (TFP) on the perspective-taking of 27 kindergarten children by having their teacher guide them in the reenactment of fairy tales. Results demonstrated that the children exposed to TFP performed significantly higher on measures of perceptual, cognitive, and affective perspective-taking than a control…

Sixty preschool children (30 deaf and hard of hearing, 30 hearing) were observed in their integrated school during learning center activities and outdoor play. Half experienced auditory communication and half total communication modes. Although all children preferred to play and communicate with same-hearing status children, 63% did communicate…

Argues that teachers can either completely prohibit aggressive play in school, which is often difficult, or allow children to channel their aggression into certain types of aggressive play. Examines how increasing violence among youth questions previous assumptions about the implications of violent play. (MDM)

Examines the benefits of sand play for young children, focusing on areas of cognitive, physical, communicative, creative and social-emotional development. Also discusses the role of the teacher in encouraging children's natural curiosity and exploration with sand play, noting that teachers should observe and interact with children during play in…

The amount of social pretend play in free-play sessions of small groups of five to seven year olds, and the symbolic features of this play, were noted. Conservation, verbal symbol substitution, and role-playing skills, were assessed as measures of cognitive symbolic skill. Results provide no evidence that these social class differences reflect…

Describes a discourse created by second graders who were deliberating about important social issues in the course of discussing a story. (BB)

Notes that, in working with prekindergarten children, elementary counselors may integrate such therapeutic approaches as play techniques, affective education, behavior modification, bibliotherapy, relaxation training, and family counseling. Focuses on benefits of developmental play counseling and affective education with young children. (NB)

The social participation patterns of 28 young children with visual impairments (some with additional disabilities) during free-play periods was compared across specialized and integrated settings. Although no significant differences were found between settings, there were significant differences between children with and without additional…

Strategies for social pretend play were compared for 15 preschoolers with mild disabilities and 15 nondisabled preschoolers in 3 integrated sites. Videotapes of children during free play were analyzed to determine strategies used to enter, initiate, maintain, and terminate play. Both groups initiated play without discussing roles, conducted short…

Illustrates the use of thematic fantasy play, or play that involves the enactment of stories from literature, in a kindergarten classroom. Maintains that thematic fantasy play facilitates children's development of social competence and story comprehension. (BB)

Two boys (ages 6 and 15) with severe, multiple handicaps participated in social play activities with 10 nonhandicapped fifth graders, who had been trained on interaction with socially withdrawn children. Increases in all participants' socially directed behavior were observed. Both boys with handicaps increased targeted motor responses when…

An activity book to help elementary teachers and students explore the environment offers information and questions about spaceships; an ecology primer and poster with questions; information on animal adaptation with poster and questions; ecological and dramatic arts projects; a script for performance; and suggestions to make Earth Day celebrations…

Examined the effect of observation of gender-related information in the peer group on preschoolers' attention to toys that were not clearly delineated as appropriate for one sex or the other. Contemporaneous peer involvement was significantly associated with children's toy adoption, but cumulative peer involvement was not. (Author/BB)

The purpose of this correlational study was to examine the possible relationships among children's extracurricular habits, orientations, abilities and science achievement. Results indicate that sex differences are related to social, personal, and educational factors. (KR)