Uses a Weberian sociological approach to examine teachers' beliefs and discussions about play. Teachers held differing beliefs and their actions were related to their belief systems. Reasons for intervention fell into three Weberian constructs: cultural, social-political, and economic influences. (Author/BB)

When administered to 34 infants with handicaps, Bayley Scale mental age scores were an average of 2.1 months higher than Estimated Developmental Ages (EDA's) calculated from the Uzgiris and Hunt Scales. The EDA's were significantly and positively related to Bayley mental age, and sensorimotor play emerged as the best single correlate. (Author/JDD)

Offers strategies which preschool teachers can use to facilitate children's problem-solving skills through play in the context of the Play and Problem-Solving Model. Discusses the clues children give teachers when they need help and what kind of help children need to solve problems. (BB)

Discusses ways science can be included in every activity of the preschoolers' day. Describes four characteristics of young children that are important to remember when planning science activities. Provides guidelines for developing and evaluating science activities. Presents a preschool unit on insects and offers suggestions for incorporating…

Examined social and cognitive play behaviors of preschool children in comparison to tests of convergent and divergent thinking. High levels of nonsocial activity were associated with low scores on the convergent thinking measure. There were negative relationships between nonsocial play and divergent thinking. (GLR)

In a study on the effects of play period length on four and five year olds' play behavior, results indicated that play time affected the amount and maturity of play. Guidelines for structuring play time in the classroom are offered. (BB)

Investigates the effect of stimulation of fantasy play on the level of symbolic play, language, and cognitive ability of four-year olds in Guyanan nursery schools. Concludes that provision of opportunities for fantasy play can have positive effects on symbolic play and language. (Author/BB)

In response to extended-day child care schedules, this article offers suggestions for planning a variety of developmentally appropriate activities to maintain the preschool child's interest and energy. Suggestions are provided for scheduling, enlisting parent and volunteer participation, increasing awareness of current events, and for end-of-day…

Examined links between parenting and preschoolers' peer competence. Found that parent-child play was associated with boys', but not girls', peer competence. Mothers' coaching was associated with girls', but not boys', competence. Mothers' or fathers' involvement in child-peer play predicted lower or higher child competence, respectively. Mothers'…

Describes how simple changes in pretend-play areas can enable children with disabilities to participate more fully in early-learning experiences. Discusses how play reflects cognitive and social skills. Identifies challenges to supporting inclusive pretend play related to environmental barriers and children's characteristics; presents suggestions…

Compares preschool/kindergarten education in Malaysia and the United Kingdom, including curriculum and teacher training. Describes the Malaysian national preschool curriculum guidelines as using play as a vehicle for learning while incorporating a more formal reading and writing readiness program. Describes experiences in a teaching course for…

This book offers 80 original chants for teaching children to play with language, discover their ownership of language, and experiment with language. The book states that chants can provide a strategy that develops reading skills, ease in dramatic situations, sidebars in art work, communication abilities, awareness of self and environment, and…

This practicum developed a workshop to educate staff and parents on identifying preschool stress, behavioral indicators of stress in children, and exploring effective stress coping techniques for use in the classroom and at home. A 3-phase solution strategy was implemented over 10 weeks. Phase I, the implementation process, included a staff…

A translation of parts of a Swedish study conducted in 73 full-day and 42 part-day Swedish preschools is presented. Although official Swedish policy maintains that the two types of preschool should have the same social and educational goals, Swedish public opinion holds that full-time preschools are mainly caretaking schools, and part-time…

Designed for use by parents to further the emotional, social, and intellectual development of their 2- to 6-year old children, this book describes the Montessori method of early childhood education and provides sample activities and games to develop children's skills in the home, the neighborhood, and the world. Following introductory sections…