ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses the assessment of infant play with objects and the relationship of infant play to infant development. It reviews the development of infant play. The chapter examines the functions of play, play characteristics, and the ways that play influences cognitive, social, and emotional development throughout infancy. It explores some assessment methods currently used to measure infant play skills. Analysis of infant play thought to reflect cognitive functioning and mastery motivation. Consequently, various strategies for measuring infant play have been developed to assess infant competence. Free-play assessments involve observing infants' play with no prompting or intervention by the observer. Free play is assessed in naturalistic settings. Play promotes appropriate social interactions, language use, and physical development. Modeled play assessments entail demonstrations of play to elicit infant play behaviors. Play and social-emotional development are closely intertwined. As infants play, they learn about themselves and others, which promotes the subsequent development and refinement of social skills.
