Details a study evaluating the construct and concurrent validity of a modified version of the Penn Interactive Peer Play Scale (PIPPS), a teacher-rating instrument of interactive play behaviors of preschool children. Use and further study of developmentally appropriate social competencies for African-American Head Start children are discussed.…

Asked undergraduate students' opinions of Descartes' belief that the mind and body are separate, then had them conduct action research projects examining whether the mind-body dilemma might be overcome if teachers valued the essential nature of play and applied it to sport and physical education. Results supported the hypothesis that physical…

Maintains that the "getting into shape" hypothesis of explaining the inverted-U distribution of exercise play across age is likely incorrect. Argues that the biological study of human physical activity play, as recommended by Pellegrini and Smith (1998), will reveal whether physical activity play represents an example of…

Describes Adventures in Peacemaking, an after-school program that teaches conflict-resolution skills to children ages 5-12 through the use of noncompetitive games and play. Sidebars depict a conflict escalator and a win-win grid. (TD)

Examines the traditional place of play in contemporary early childhood programs in light of new directions in theory and curriculum, the push for educational outcomes, and perceived pressures of the global market economy. Maintains that a new focus on teaching through play may provide a way to reconcile demand for outcomes with a concern for…

This study examined effects of an intervention (planned play, use of conversational social interaction strategies, and evaluation of play strategies) on the social-communicative interactions of six preschool children at risk for language delays and behavior problems. The intervention led to increases in social communicative behaviors, use of…

A 3-year study explored the development of the complexity of block constructions of 65 preschool children. Results indicated that the complexity of block constructions increased with age, the time the child was involved with block construction activities had a positive effect on complexity, and gender did not influence block construction…

Examines the importance of the natural environment in Dewey's educational philosophy and the role outdoor play and activity have in children's education today. Cites reasons for the lack of a safe outdoor environment and offers suggestions for making improvements: schoolground improvement organizations, greenways movement, careful land…

Explores the role of play in early-childhood education in China. Describes a typical day in the life of one Chinese child enrolled in a preprimary program. Cites research findings on which daily activities were perceived as play by the child, her parents, grandparents, and teacher. Concludes with a discussion about the impact of culture on…

Notes that infant curriculums involve every aspect of child development and should be appropriate for the individual child. Highlights characteristics of ideal curriculums, and provides guidelines for assessment of child and curriculum, and of communication regarding curriculum. (LBT)

Advocates providing opportunities for child-initiated literacy experiences within a free play setting in early childhood education programs. Presents a rationale for meaningful academic content in preschools, including the need for early adult models and advantages of free-play over structured settings. Details methods of promoting literacy in…

Describes a unit plan for teaching "Lord of the Flies" that allows students to respond freely to the reading and to "get out of their seats" and experience the first chapter of the book. Includes guidelines for the response-based approach, for discussion groups, and for character portfolios. (NH)

A study of 41 Puerto Rican and African American preschoolers found they used three strategies to obtain objects from peers: movement toward objects, verbal intentions with movements toward objects, and verbal intentions. Students were most successful when they combined physical movement toward an object with a request, statement, or claim.…

Analyzed videotapes of 3- to 7-year-old Singaporean children to document play and language level. Data analysis revealed a developmental trend in play and language scores, several significant gender differences in Smilansky's and Parten/Piaget play categories but no significant gender differences in language scores. Socioeconomic status…

Explored preschoolers' emotion regulation skills within a pretend play context using a negatively valenced event designed to elicit a high level of arousal. Found that children's success in continuing pretend play was related to emotion regulation skills in other contexts, whereas their effectiveness at resolving conflict was not. (TJQ)