Article

The relationship between cognitive functioning and play behaviors of children
residing in an orphanage was examined. Twenty-six young children (15 boys)
between 10 and 38 months of age participated. More developmentally competent play
behaviors were highly related to better performance on cognitive functioning as
measured by the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (r = .78, p < or = .01). The
participants' play behaviors were less competent compared to previous data for
children of the same chronological age living at home on four out of five levels
of symbolic play (p < or = .05). However, when compared to data for children
living at home with similar cognitive development, the participants demonstrated
no significant differences in symbolic play (p > or =.05). The findings suggest
that the relationship between thinking and playing is robust, even in an
institutional environment. Additionally, practitioners assessing children from
institutions who cannot engage in standardized testing may consider observing
play behaviors to make an initial estimate of developmental status.

Langue : ANGLAIS