ABSTRACT
Chapter 2 focuses on what play is in terms of the definition that underlies our assessment system, which is that play consists of spontaneous, naturally occurring activities with objects (i.e., toys) that engage attention and interest. The chapter centers on the importance of play in children’s lives. We provide brief reviews on the significance of play in terms of theories, research and practice. We emphasize the impact of play on the development of knowledge about objects, people, and events. Included are the contributions of play to developments in language, social engagements, and literacy. We connect our conceptualizations of play to how they underlie (a) assessment activities; (b) intervention activities focused on increasing play; and (c) uses of play to support interventions in other developmental domains. Finally, we present a summary of our own studies that led to this assessment system and to the intervention activities that we propose later in this guidebook.
