Since language largely derives from social interaction, preschool children should be provided many opportunities to converse, question and play with words. In this way children learn what to do with language in order to communicate effectively and appropriately. Recently begun investigations of language as it is actually used may produce findings…

The findings of nine studies comparing the symbolic play of middle-class and lower-class children are summarized and examined in detail. Related research problems are discussed and directions for future research are indicated. Examination of the studies indicated that few general conclusions can be drawn from them about the relative quality of…

Key research in the literature on the relationship between parent participation and achievement is discussed, participation being defined in terms of activities both within and outside of the school. The research resists generalization because of the range of potential parent activities and the uncertainty about what they convey, but yields the…