• Journal of Families and Better Life
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.181-196
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• 2009

This study compared mother-toddler verbal interaction by play type (traditional play, free play, block play), and child's sex and age. Subjects were 10 boys and 10 girls ranging in age from 25- to 36-months and their mothers. An observer videotaped the children and their mothers at play in their homes. Results showed that (1) Mothers attempted more positive verbal interaction in traditional than in block play. (2) Mothers expressed more positive emotion in free than in traditional and block play. (3) Mothers more answer 'reflection' in traditional than in free play (4) Toddlers attempted more positive verbal interaction in block than in traditional and free play. (5) Toddler's positive emotion express was not distinguished by play type or by child's sex or age. (6) From 31- to 36-months's boys expressed more play situation than from 25- to 30-months' girls. This study provides groundwork for mother-toddler traditional play programs with potential for improving positive expression of emotion and language development.