Twelve monthly issues of this magazine for parents and others concerned with children with disabilities are contained in this document. Individual issues typically include a number of articles based on the issues theme, a special report, research reflections, and regular columns covering news items, practical answers to child rearing problems,…

This study investigated the strength and modifiability of young children's sex-typed behavior in toy choices, toy play, and preferences for games and occupations. Subjects were nursery school, kindergarten and first grade children. (CM)

Some observations of general progress and of gender-related differences in achievement when using construction sets in the early years are presented. Included are the results of two studies which examined the use of Lego construction sets by children age six to eight. (CW)

Three experiments, involving five students (aged 13-20) with profound, multiple handicaps, showed that the students could effectively use microswitches to demonstrate toy preferences, to indicate preferences for social attention, and to make specific requests of educational staff in school and community settings. (Author/JDD)

Five charts list toys, playground equipment, and other materials found in most child care settings that promote social, emotional, perceptual, sensory, cognitive, and physical development and that can be used, with little or no modification, by children with disabilities. (MDM)

Provides discussions of understanding violence in children's lives (Levin); helping children exposed to violence (Jackson); the role of day care centers in helping children cope with violence (Groves and Mazur); the influence of Power Rangers (Levin); creating a culture of nonviolence (Carter); listening to children to understand violence (Hopkins…

To help combat the effects of violence on children and improve the quality and nature of play, early childhood teachers can: define violence by helping children become aware of the issue, help children resolve their own conflicts, create a peace place in the classroom, intervene when violent play occurs, evaluate media and toys, and educate…

Argues that teachers should replace art history instruction with efforts to build in children a love for beautiful old objects. Suggests that children should be encouraged to examine family treasures and toys and share their discoveries. Describes several suitable classroom games, including tablesetting history, history to wear, and traditional…

A workshop that provides instruction about chemistry and physics concepts and about novel hands-on ways to teach the concepts using toys is described. Sample topics by discipline and related toys and a daily workshop schedule are included. The results of formative, summative, and follow-up evaluations are presented. (KR)

Describes value and discusses models of toy libraries, which enable children and their parents to borrow and play with a range of toys and specialized equipment that might not otherwise be accessible to them. Addresses staffing issues and library goals related to toy libraries, connections between toy libraries and curricula, and benefits of and…

Children of 4 to 10 years of age were told about children whose sex was not specified and who had a masculine or feminine toy or characteristic. Results indicated that children first learn characteristics relevant to their own sex, and that older children's stereotypic judgments about gender are more extreme than those of younger children. (BC)

Discusses adverse effects of FCC deregulation of children's television programming on children's play behavior. Discusses the difference between play and imitation, the role of high quality dramatic play in healthy child development, the popularity of war play, and use of toys to increase dramatic play. Considers ways to help children gain control…

Investigated whether 3- to 6-year-olds in a Montessori school created more symmetrical than asymmetrical designs when working with building materials. Found that symmetry occurred in designs of children as young as age 3, with the tendency increasing with age. Examined the need for increased use of building materials for teaching symmetry in the…

This text offers case studies, models, and specific techniques to assist children, teenagers, and adults with disabilities to participate more fully in local school and neighborhood social and leisure activities. Three basic themes are stressed: first, that of using a community leisure facilitator to support people with disabilities in community…

This series of 10 short publications addresses topics relevant to early childhood development. Topics discussed include: (1) the ethnic traditions and unique characteristics of every child; (2) suggestions to working parents for coping with their family obligations; (3) suggestions for activities parents can engage in with their young children;…