Examined the relationship between observed sex differences in infants' play, parental responses to these play patterns, and parents' ratings of sample child behaviors as typically masculine, feminine, or neither. (JMB)

The purpose of this study was to investigate the alternative forms of young children's help-seeking in free play and problem-solving contexts. A total of 72 children aged 18 (N=36) and 24 (N=36) months were observed in pairs in free play and problem-solving settings, as well as in different social contexts--same-age versus mixed-age pairing. Both…

Consists of 10 articles dealing with such topics as why children play, which particular variables instigate play, does play make a difference, and do games and sports make a difference. (NQ)

The follow-up study described in this paper tried to accomplish three major objectives: (a) to investigate the preschool and newborn antecedents of intellectual functioning, (b) to determine if there were stabilities from two and a half to seven and a half in the tempo and style of free play--and here we were looking for both isomorphic and…

Examined sex differences in the play preferences of 2-year-old nursery school children and determined whether teachers of this age group reinforce female sex-typed behaviors as do teachers of older preschoolers. (SDH)

The most impressive class difference in one-year-old infants revealed by this study was that lower-class infants vocalized considerably less in the playroom than did middle-class infants. (Authors)

Examined mothers' and infants' affect in play and infant sex as predictors of infants' response to the still-face situation. (PCB)

This study examined the relationship between smile type (basic, Duchenne, duplay) and play type (object, physical, vocal, book reading) during parent-infant videotaped interactions at home. Loglinear analyses revealed that different types of smiles occurred during different types of play more often than expected if distributed equally. Different…

Mothers' and fathers' socialization of one- and two-year-old children's sex-typed play behaviors was examined. For each parent, dyadic interactions were videotaped in the home on two occasions six months apart. Results are discussed in terms of implications for the social learning account of sex-role development. (Author/RH)

This paper briefly reviews studies of infant-peer and infant-mother interaction, and describes a study which compares the effects of mothers and peers on toddler play. Twenty-six toddlers (13 males and 13 females) aged 21 to 24 months were observed in two social situations each: playing with his/her mother, and playing with a familiar peer (after…

Seventeen sets of opposite sex twins, 13 to 14 months old, were observed in a playroom situation with their mothers. Attachment behaviors, toy preference, style of play, and activity level were recorded. Analysis of four attachment behaviors indicated that girls looked at, vocalized to, and maintained proximity with their mothers significantly…

To test the inversion of intensity interpretation based on negative relations between newborn and pre-school intensity behaviors, 106 normal children were examined at the neonatal and pre-school periods. Interpretations of intensity behaviors at both periods and their longitudinal relations are discussed. (Author/SB)

During a brief play period away from the mother, the responses of 10-month-old infants were observed as a function of two factors in a 2x2 design: first, whether the mother or the infant initiated the separation and second, whether the mother was visible or not during the separation. (Author/MS)

Compared with fathers, mothers were more likely to pick up and hold infants, feed and comfort them, and invest time in displaying affection. Although there were sex differences in parents' rough and peek-a-boo play, mothers and fathers treated boys and girls quite similarly. (RH)