ABSTRACT

This text offers innovative, multi-disciplinary perspectives on the subject of play in a range of environments: the classroom, playground, home, and local community. Chapters include observation notes, case studies and comprehensive illustrations of ideas in action, as well as encouragement for the reader to stop and reflect on their own practice with questions for consideration.

Extensively revised and with new contributions, this third edition explores the theory and clearly demonstrates how to take the theory from the academic classroom and apply it to practice in a child's setting. New features include:

  • an up-to-date exploration of the latest policy developments and research, including Ofsted's 2015 Early Years Report and the 2017 EYFS Statutory Framework
  • an exploration of globalisation and technology, and critical analysis of children’s leisure time, screen interaction and virtual experiences
  • international perspectives on play and the connections between play and mental health
  • brand new practical examples woven throughout, accompanied by additional full-colour photos

Perspectives on Play is an invaluable resource for any student studying within childhood studies, playwork programmes or training to teach at early years or primary level. It is also ideal for early years, primary and play practitioners.

section Section 1|80 pages

The value of play?

chapter Chapter 1|45 pages

Three perspectives on play

chapter Chapter 2|34 pages

‘We don't play like that here'

Social, cultural and gender perspectives on play

section Section 2|144 pages

Children at play

chapter Chapter 3|37 pages

Curriculum and pedagogy of play

A multitude of perspectives?

chapter Chapter 4|38 pages

Born to play

Babies and toddlers playing

chapter Chapter 5|33 pages

Playing in the early years

At liberty to play - not only legal but also statutory!

chapter Chapter 6|35 pages

Play, children and primary schools

section Section 3|88 pages

Supporting children's play

chapter Chapter 7|24 pages

Building 'social hardiness' for life

Rough and tumble play in the early years of primary school

chapter Chapter 9|18 pages

Playwork

chapter Chapter 10|23 pages

Opening play

Play therapy and dramatherapy

section Section 4|26 pages

Concluding perspectives

chapter Chapter 11|25 pages

A place to play

Online and offline in the twenty-first century