The quality of play that 26 toddlers engaged in was examined in four successive social settings: (1) mother-child; (2) child alone; (3) mother, child, peer; (4) child-peer. Results are discussed in terms of how the social setting and the sex of the child influence play behavior. (Author/DB)

Women pregnant with their first child were observed interacting with an infant labeled as either a boy or a girl. Toy use and other maternal behaviors were examined as a function of gender label, women's attitudes regarding gender differences, and infant behavior. (Author/DB)

The Coping Inventory, an observation instrument designed to assess the behavior and skills of handicapped children, is described. The 48-item inventory is divided into two categories--self and environment; each category is subdivided into three dimensions--productive, active, and flexible. (PHR)

Investigates differences between the behaviors of children entering stable preschool groups (six males, six females) and those of their host classmates, and traces the process by which new children come to approximate host frequencies of interaction and social participation. A sequential time-sampling procedure was employed. (Author/SS)

The reasoning practices employed by students in the classroom are examined to display how they "know" something. Focus is placed on the interactional practices by which learning tasks are accomplished during classroom lessons. (JMF)

The results of an ethnographic study of adolescent interethnic relations among Chinese-Canadians, Italian-Canadians, and Anglo-Canadians are reported in this article. Ethnic density proved a better predictor of the number of close out-group friendships than did a child's particular ethnic group membership. (Author/DB)

Reliability estimates were developed for an instrument used to assess teacher behavior using observational techniques. Data from the study highlight the variability of a teacher's performance from one class to another and show the problems of judging a teacher on the basis of one classroom observation. (SK)

Focusing on parental involvement in Title 1 programs for disadvantaged children, this article reviews the types of parent activities conducted, the amount of parental involvement, and the effects of such involvement. (LRA)

The type of evaluation form provided here supplies the principal with a guide to what to look for in a special education classroom, whatever the level of his or her expertise in the area. (Author/IRT)

Movement education is a vital addition to the professional training of dance instructors. (LH)

Twenty-nine educable mentally retarded children (9-12 years old) were observed while they worked on academic and nonacademic tasks to investigate the hypothesis that retarded children are more distractible and/or more out directed than nonretarded children. (Author/CL)

Stages in developing mentally handicapped children's pretend play are outlined and techniques for assessing a child's play development are described. (SBH)

Defines naturalistic research as research that occurs in a field setting and that emphasizes hypothesis generation rather than hypothesis testing. Discusses essential characteristics and requirements of such research, the utilization of quantitative and qualitative data, establishment of validity of research procedures and data generated, and the…

Examines the behavioral patterns of high, average, and low achievers in first-, second-, and third-grade classrooms implementing an individualized instructional strategy. Time spent on independent work, interaction patterns/achievement level, and the implications of this research for teachers and instructional developers are discussed. (RAO)