| Abstract: | The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between symbolic representation in dramatic play and art and the cognitive and reading readiness levels of kindergarten children. Specifically, the study attempted to determine if there is a significant difference in the performance of kindergarten children on the conservation of number tasks (reflective of the level of operational thought and cognitive development), the Metropolitan Reading Readiness Test, and their involvement and/or level of symbolic re resentation in dramatic play and/or art. Results indicated that children at diffrent cognitive levels (a) performed significantly differently on the Metropolitan Reading Readiness Test, (b) spent significantly different amounts of time involved in dramatic play, and (c) expressed significantly different levels of symbolic representations in dramatic play. No differences were found to exist, however, in their symbolic representation in art. |
