ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The discusses a number of interesting and often conflicting definitions of the one term, that is, play. To end the argument, the editor uses his privileged position to state that children's play is the freely chosen activity of children; while from the point of view of adults play is a means and may serve several developmental functions, play is undertaken by children as an end unto itself. The presented argument applies largely to the developed nations of the world. In Third World countries, it is usually not a matter of political, educational or social development philosophy that has resulted in the lack of emphasis on the provision of play opportunities; it is simply economics.
