Explored interface between preschoolers' socio-emotional characteristics and interactions with teachers during free play. Found that children who most frequently initiated teacher interaction behaved more aggressively than peers and were so rated by teachers. Children who most frequently received teacher initiations were more shy and anxious.…

Compared teacher and observer ratings of young children's social behaviors during peer play and examined the construct validity of the Penn Interactive Peer Play Scale. Findings indicated that both teacher and observer ratings revealed factor structures reflecting play interaction, disruption, and disconnection. Observer ratings distinguished…

Points out that melodrama can be used as a method for historical research, giving students practice in applying historical methods. Describes an innovative teaching technique in which students learn about slavery by staging a melodrama in the classroom. Gives detailed instructions on designing a melodrama. (GG)

Describes two-step exercise for applying imagination to summer-camp programing. Step 1 involves casting programs in imaginary environment, altering them for new setting. Step 2 involves role playing, encouraging participants to "wear" new cultural roles such as American Indians, cowboys, or sailors. Emphasizes value of imagination for improving…

Discusses how large hollow blocks can meet many preschool children's learning needs through creative dramatic play, and also gives some guidelines on how these blocks can be constructed by parents and teachers. (BB)

Three experiments, involving five students (aged 13-20) with profound, multiple handicaps, showed that the students could effectively use microswitches to demonstrate toy preferences, to indicate preferences for social attention, and to make specific requests of educational staff in school and community settings. (Author/JDD)

Discusses ways in which preschool and other grade-level teachers can help children of alcoholic parents cope with their problems. (BB)

Provides a lesson plan on the Great Depression in which students examine the social, economic, and political events of the period through a study of radio broadcasting. Describes an activity in which students research the era and create a radio broadcast. Outlines activity guidelines, radio language, and evaluation methods. (RW)

Two studies of nursery school children examined the relationship between friendships and sociometric judgments of social status. (Author/BB)

Describes an activity for use as an introduction to a U.S. government course. Involves placing the students in a you-be-the-judge situation through the consideration of a Supreme Court case. Requires essay writing, small group work, and reporting to the class. Points out that these exercises provide structure for the course. (KO)

Social-cognitive modes of play and peer responses were observed in two classrooms of 40 three-year-olds, two classrooms of 32 four-year-olds, and two classrooms of 36 three- and four-year-olds. Developmental differences appeared in play patterns in same-age but not in mixed-age classrooms. (TJH)

Examines types of life changes that young children may experience and suggests developmentally appropriate curricular strategies teachers can implement to help children cope more effectively. Promotes teacher-parent partnerships and includes list of readings for both. (ET)

Examines the role of the neighborhood in books for children and young adults. Discusses community characteristics, historical fiction, "special and scary places," neighborhoods in conflict and harmony, and the neighborhood as a memory base. Presents activities including animated maps, games, murals, small group dramas, and storytelling.…

To help combat the effects of violence on children and improve the quality and nature of play, early childhood teachers can: define violence by helping children become aware of the issue, help children resolve their own conflicts, create a peace place in the classroom, intervene when violent play occurs, evaluate media and toys, and educate…

A naturalistic probe of early language content was administered to 31 normally developing preschool children. The productivity of 3 different strategies for eliciting 27 content categories was tested and the efficiency of the probe technique compared with analysis of language samples. Results suggest this nonstandardized, criterion-referenced…