Script recognition, articulation and expansion in children's role play∗

Correspondence and requests for reprints should be addressed to William A. Corsaro, Department of Sociology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405.

Abstract

Recent work on children's discourse has developed the importance of children's knowledge of social scripts for the production of sustained dialogue in peer interaction. Applying Cicourel's interactive model of discourse, this paper examines preschool children's recognition, articulation, and expansion of social scripts in role play. The analyses suggest that children's use of scripts depends on the nature of role play and that children's attempts at script expansion can be seen as precursors to adults' recognition of the potential of conversation for self‐expression.

Notes

Correspondence and requests for reprints should be addressed to William A. Corsaro, Department of Sociology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405.