| Abstract: | Examined the effects of age, sex, and context of preschool classrooms on children's play. In Study 1, observed 3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds playing in art, blocks, and replica play areas in their age-graded classrooms. Results suggested that children's play was related to Age?×?Play Area interactions. These relations were not independent of children's sex-related self-selection into the play areas or the number of participants in the areas. In Study 2, same-age, same-sex dyads played with blocks and replica props in experimental playrooms. Play was mediated by age, sex, and play area. Girls' play was less sophisticated than boys' play in the blocks area because it was an area in which males tended to play. Furthermore, the ecological validity of Study 2 was established vis-à-vis Study 1 results. In Study 3, same-age, mixed-sex dyads played in constructive and replica areas in experimental playrooms. No sex or Sex?×?Context effects were observed on play. Boys tended to dominate girls in both contexts. Results are explained in terms of Lewin's model of context. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
