This article presents and summarizes recent resources related to pretend play in the early childhood classroom. These include "Contemporary Perspectives on Play in Early Childhood Education" by Olivia N. Sarachoe and Bernard Spodek; "Dramatic Play: Bring It Back" by Tammy Benson; and "The Importance of Being Playful" by Elena Bodrova and Deborah…

In an imaginary "Agency of Smiles," preschool children pretending to be aid workers are immersed in such activities as typing letters, sending and receiving faxes, answering phones, and negotiating with clients. A mail carrier delivers a letter from an immigrant preschool boy in the Netherlands, who requests help in making friends in his…

While some studies have examined second language (L2) learning in young children who have at least one peer who speaks the same first language (L1) in the same preschool classroom (Clarke, 1999; Damhuis, 1993; Fraser & Wakefield, 1986), little research has been done concerning a young child learning an L2 through play in a natural setting in…

A kindergarten teacher narrates her classroom experiences with terror-stricken Spanish-American children after a devastating tornado. (AJ)

Suggests classroom materials and activities which, in the absence of male teachers, may be used in preschool and primary classrooms to provide male sex-role models. (NH)

Provides specific steps and techniques for teaching and using creative dramatics in elementary school classrooms. Notes that creative dramatics address children's powerful emotions and imaginations, which children rely on to explore and understand the world. Discusses four necessary components of creative dramatics--structure, open-endedness, a…

Describes an exploratory study in which alternative dramatic play areas are compared among older preschoolers. Twelve children, grouped into same-sex pairs (55 to 67 months old), were observed in various playroom environments. Results indicate that theme specific settings stimulated dramatic play while neutral areas encouraged personal fantasy…

Emphasizes the importance of spontaneous play for growth in cognition and social values. The author specifically discusses finger painting, water, blocks and dramatic play. (AJ)

Discusses how outdoor play can be as effective as indoor play in facilitating young children's development. Offers advice on selection of toys and materials; organization of play spaces; addition of movable toys and equipment; ways to stimulate imaginative outdoor play; and playground safety. (TJQ)

Cites studies and three illustrative cases showing benefits to a reading program which can be derived from creative dramatics activities. Discusses materials and supplies, physical arrangement and management techniques for a creative dramatics learning center. (BR)

Reviews articles from the "Journal of Research in Childhood Education" on the advantages of decreased teacher-student ratio, cross-cultural child development comparisons, developmentally appropriate classroom play, teacher choices related to observational schemes; cross-typed sexual roles and children's perception, and the positive…

Describes Improvised Musical Play (IMP), a teaching strategy that uses simple rhythms, chanting, and singing to make participation in social play with nondelayed peers easier for developmentally delayed children. (BB)

In this interview with a Florida kindergarten teacher, the whole language philosophy is used to help elementary students learn skills through ongoing reading and writing activities. Thematic units are used to encourage teacher facilitation and peer teaching. (DG)

A workshop leader and consultant makes an impassioned plea for more and better movement education. Provides ideas for focused movement explorations and discusses the overall goals and advantages of this new breed of physical education. (ED)