ABSTRACT
Play has a special place in the process of growth for the young of humans and many other animal species. It takes many forms; it has many purposes. Play can be one of the best tools for learning because it fosters active processes of seeking knowledge about the world. It also involves ownership; play is owned by the persons involved in it. It serves to create a sense of mastery, without the pressure of striving for success. Play helps children develop strategies for being alone as well as for getting along with others; it also promotes academic and physical skills. In all of these ways, play has special meaning for the gifted. I would like to concentrate this essay on a discussion of the impact of play on the emotional and social development of gifted children.
