ABSTRACT
As children are increasingly being exposed to digital technologies, this necessitates an exploration into how digital technologies may be changing children’s play. This chapter begins with a discussion on the influences of digital technologies in children’s play. Digital play is the point of reference for children’s play involving the use of digital tools. Using a cultural–historical perspective, digital play is understood as an activity that involves social interactions, imaginary scenarios, and the construction of new meanings that are developed through the exchanges between players. The chapter focuses on digital play in the contexts of the home and in a school setting. At home, digital play provides enhanced conditions for playing and different ways for siblings to interact with each other. In a school setting, digital play supports the qualities of deep learning including character, citizenship, collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical thinking. Some considerations are offered in how digital play can be incorporated into an early childhood school setting where the adult plays a significant role in providing developmentally appropriate and intentional opportunities for digital play to occur.
