Is there a correlation between playing games and mastering social skills?
* In what ways can play encourage literacy?
* What dictates the nature of sexual content in children's play?
* Is winning a game more beneficial than losing in terms of acquiring knowledge?
* Can a daily 15-minute period of sociodramatic play have any effect on student mathematical skills? Much more than just "child's play"
Many studies have shown that play is vital in our intellectual growth and development, especially in the formative years. But until now no single source has effectively surveyed the field. This first-of-its-kind guide summarizes and brings together what we know about play, its guiding principles, its dynamics, and its importance not only in early learning but throughout life. Armed with knowledge from this comprehensive guide you can:
* examine all aspects of play, including new approaches not yet covered in the literature
* discover how teachers in various classroom situations set up and guide play to facilitate learning
* explore how play is affected by societal violence, media reportage, technological innovations, and other contemporary issues
* find out which areas of play have been studied adequately and which require further research
Reveals the versatility and complexity of playThe coverage consists of 62 essays by 78 distinguished experts from various fields who draw on pedagogy, anthropology, ethology, history, philosophy, and psychology to examine play and its variety, complexity, and usefulness. This work instantly puts at your fingertips a wealth of practical applications, methods, observations, and new discoveries. Here you'll find out why play is vital in developing mathematical thinking and promoting social skills, how properly constructed play enhances classroom instruction, which games foster which skills, how playing stimulates creativity, and much more. In addition, there are essays demonstrating the importance of play in adulthood, which focus on such areas as play in the workplace, playfulness in the biological sciences and medicine, play among education professionals, play in law, and more.
User aids organize the material and facilitate research
An author and subject index, and extensive bibliographies round out the coverage. A general introduction and introductions to each of the eight major sections provide the necessary background information and give the articles context. The book is a source of up-to-date information, practical ideas, and quick surveys of a wide array of subjects of interest to educators, behavioral and social scientists, researchers, and students who need a contemporary view of play and its role in the human experience.
Special Features
*Demonstrates how play reveals a child's level of knowledge and enhances learning
*Looks at a wide range of childhood play behaviors, experiences, and influences
* Offers fresh observations on play, adult intervention, the needs of children as expressed in play, and evaluating play as a means of acquiring knowledge
*Examines how play is shaped by physical and social settings, cultural background, ability, gender, and age
*Considers the roles of imagination, exploration, challenge, humor, and sexuality in childhood play
*Provides access to extensive bibliographic resources.
*Sheds light on how play extends into adulthood and manifests itself in work
