Previous research in laboratory settings has found that preschool girls show more interest in babies than do preschool boys. To validate these findings in natural settings, 71 children at 3 and 5 years of age were observed by their parents as the children interacted with babies in their daily lives. Each child was observed with three different…

To determine whether modeling of infant care by males would increase young boys' interest in babies, a study was conducted with up to 34 white, middle-class children who attended a university day care center and who ranged in age from 2 to 6 years. Procedures involved 3 days of pretest data collection, 4 weeks of treatment presentation, and 3…

What children do in play is simultaneously influenced by the properties of the play object and the skills of the child. Properties of objects lend themselves to re-engagement in investigative play or support for shared action. Repeated play with particular objects increases the number of actions possible with these objects. The process of…

To determine preschool children's responses to various television program formats, and to discover which would be most effective in holding attention, observers recorded children's reactions to 115 lesson segments viewed in their homes. All behavior responses to elicited and unelicited stimuli were recorded, using a printed form and coding system.…

Considers 3- to 6-year-olds' work cycle, looking first to the Montessori concept of normalization, manifest as increasing depth of concentration. Offers guidelines for a "protected lesson," designed to foster independence. Discusses interest and purpose as the basis for work, work "curves," control of error, presentation…