Play Materials and Social Interactions Between Disabled and Nondisabled Preschoolers

Authors

  • Roberta McDonald Vickery
  • John F. McCabe
  • Christopher Field

Keywords:

play materials, toys, integration, social play, disabilities, preschoolers

Abstract

This study examines the amount of social play occurring between children of different developmental levels and the play behavior following the introduction of "social" toys and "isolate" toys in a free play setting. Twelve preschool children participated in the study. The subjects were divided into six pairs, two nondisabled pairs, three integrated pairs and one disabled pair. Five pairs of children were subjected to three baseline conditions and two treatment conditions. The presentation of usocial" toys comprised the first treatment and presentation of "isolate" toys was the second treatment condition. The order of treatment presentation was counter balanced across pairs of subjects. The sixth pair of children was subjected to baseline conditions exclusively.

Results of the study indicate that preschool children, regardless of their developmental level, exhibit greater amounts of social play behavior when exposed to usocial" toys than when presented with "isolate" toys in a free play setting. Such findings have practical implications for facilitating social development and assisting behavior management in early childhood education and recreation programs.

Issue

Section

Research Papers