A practicum was conducted to address the needs of teachers and administrators in Pasco County, Florida to provide programs for kindergarten children who were developmentally younger than their chronological 5 years of age. The program goal was to increase the maturity of at least one developmental behavior in each child by at least 80 percent;…

Ways in which early childhood educators can help children prepare for medical events through play are suggested in this pamphlet. Three qualities are seen as essential to a valuable hospital/medical play experience: (1) a focus on the child's current medical interests and experiences, (2) inclusion of information about a child's forthcoming or…

The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of the preschool teacher in dealing effectively with aggression in the classroom setting. First, assertiveness, aggression and hostility are differentiated and theories of aggression are reviewed. Subsequently, social, home, family, and temperamental factors influencing aggressive behavior of…

The purpose of this book is to help parents and teachers recognize and understand dramatic play in childhood as a process whereby the child acts out human experience in an attempt to order, clarify, and understand it. Written by a person experienced in theatre and drama, the book considers the following aspects of dramatic play: the importance of…

These curriculum guides are designed to introduce drama to students at the third and fourth grade level. The teacher's guide for each of the two grade levels presents 40 lessons. Each lesson includes a description of objectives and various exercises, including movement warm-ups, movement exercises, imagination exercises, composition assignments,…

Normal children, aged 3-8, were observed during free play with anatomical dolls under three conditions: with an adult present, without an adult, and with the dolls undressed. In contrast to clinical observation of abused children, the doll play of the normal children was not characterized by aggression or sexual concerns. (Author/JDD)

Outlines the common features of Theatre-In-Education (TIE), and suggests that TIE provides an integrated structure for the heightening of personal, social, cultural, and political consciousness through its commitment to perform and address topics such as sex stereotyping, racism, and child abuse. (MM)

Discusses an approach to moral education that is based on developmental theory and involves creative dramatics and role playing of themes in children's books. Guidelines for preparatory exercises, an outline of the dramatization process, and a list of books classified according to feelings, emotions, and character traits illuminated in the stories…

Describes the success of the Academy of Holy Angels' Theater School, which has earned the reputation of producing quality original productions. Discusses aspects of the theater program, including a discussion of the required courses and the ways in which plays are scheduled. Describes the plays that have been produced. (AJL)

A study examined the social pretend play and conversational behaviors of three children (ages 4-6) with language impairment in dyadic interactions with peers. In all dyads, social pretend play yielded greater conversational success than other forms of play. Quality of play varied as a function of partner characteristics. (Contains references.)…

An alternating individual and group-oriented reinforcement contingency did not generate consistent levels of supportive peer behaviors between two preschoolers with handicaps and their socially competent peers. Two socially competent children were then taught to deliver supportive prompts to their peers during dramatic play, increasing the…

Presents a picture of the curriculum at the Pullenvale Field Study Centre. The curriculum is based on a drama theme called "The Settlers," and relates to Year Five Social Studies. Describes the curriculum in its current form and its development. Also considers the cyclic process, involving planning, action, observation, and reflection.…

Explains the use of interactional drama, a technique that presents a problem in dramatic form, drawing the student audience into the drama by encouraging meaningful discussion in order to resolve the problem. Describes a three-step process for developing dramas that bring life to historical events and distant locations. (LS)

Discusses the importance of social skills in young children, and the need for "naturalistic" procedures rather than teacher direction to intervene in social development of children with disabilities. Presents strategies for supporting social behaviors in preschoolers that foster social skills development in areas including large- and…