Three important concepts, plot, dialogue, and characterization, which literature and theater share, can be clarified for children through improvisation. Discusses two improvisation exercises that emphasize these three literary devices through stories and poems related to the general themes of "people and places" and "nature's world". (Author/RK)

The importance of play in the development of healthy individuals is due to the fact that play is an excellent vehicle for the integration of emotion, thought, and action. (Author/MJB)

Presents a counseling playlet "The Search" designed to reflect the problems that occur when negative behavior is overemphasized and the positive is overlooked. Discussion questions are included. (Author)

This article addresses the less utilized, nontraditional techniques of experiential and exploratory theater as vehicles for promoting both cognitive and affective learning. It discusses puppets as provocateurs, evoking response through mime, improvisation, and exploratory theater and problem solving. (CT)

Reports a study which compared the play of nine four-year-old girls with baby dolls and with Barbie dolls. Nonfacilitative play behavior was observed much more frequently in the baby doll sessions than in the Barbie sessions. Suggests that Barbie dolls could be used as an alternative doll activity in preschool classrooms. (CB)

Suggests ways in which improvisational drama can be used to foster student involvement, self-awareness, and communication. (KS)

Concerns dramatic enactment of a skit involving three major characters-the mannequin, the pirate, and the mayor-its preparation and presentation. (DD)

Offers several ideas for utilizing pictures in stimulating the student's sense of creative dramatics. (MM)

For forty years, the nursery school movement has emphasized play as part of the socialization process, but in the past few years, much research has been aimed at the question of stimulating cognitive development in the preschool years, especially for culturally deprived children. (Author/CB)

Course development funded by the Small Grants Program of the Council of Liberal Education at the Center for Educational Development, University of Minnesota. (DD)

Discusses mime, masks, improvisation, body training, and choral dynamics as techniques for improving actors' body movements. (RD)

Examines the use of dramatic techniques as tools for learning in the second language classroom. Discusses different ways to use improvisation. (EKN)

Focuses on the use of children's literature in the treatment of child abuse, a method referred to as bibliotherapy. Describes children's books that can be used in this approach and presents suggestions for follow-up activities. (NH)

Offers suggestions for promoting dramatic play as a medium for literacy development by concentrating on three factors: (1) the settings in which play occurs; (2) the amount of time allocated for play activities; and (3) the type of teacher involvement in play episodes. (MG)