(P/B) CHILDREN AND PLAY

Παρουσίαση

The role of play in child development is a source of ongoing interest and debate. In this book, renowned expert Peter Smith offers an expansive definition of the term "play", taking an in-depth look at its impact on children, as well as its adaptive value for birds and mammals, including primates.
Using both contemporary and classic research, Smith examines how different age groups and sexes participate in a wide variety of play, including exercise and rough-and- tumble play, fantasy play and imaginary friends, and play with objects. The book gauges the function of play in early childhood education and makes the case for and against recess breaks in school. How play occurs in different societies and among various populations - including children with special needs - is also explored.
With its comprehensive coverage of theoretical, historical, cross-cultural, and evolutionary perspectives, Children and Play holds significant insights for parents, educators, and clinicians. (From the publisher)

Περιεχόμενα

Series editor's preface
Acknowledgments
An introduction to play
A brief history of the study of play and of play theories
Animal play: Definitions and descriptions
Animal play: Theoretical perspectives on function
Play in different cultures
Physical activity play: exercise play and round rough-and-tumble
Object play
Pretend play: Description
Pretend play: Theories and Functions
Some practical issues concerning play
Concluding comments: Play and the middle way
References
Author index
Subject index