ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the methodological approaches for obtaining information on the relationship between exploration and object play as studied in animals, infants, and young children, and examines their suitability as well as their limitations for the purpose. Exploratory activity and play are generally linked together as similar if not identical phenomena, based it seems on the fact that both share a similar motivational basis. Exploratory behaviour, are forms of intrinsically motivated behavior that are not directed at the achievement of some externally imposed goal, or even the satisfaction of some internal drive or need. The problem is of course that play encompasses such a large variety of forms of behavior, from activity on a jungle gym to playing house to building a castle from blocks, to acting out a trip into space or similar make-believe activity. The temporal succession from exploration to play is at least strongly implied in C. Hutt's formulation of specific and diversive exploration.
