ABSTRACT
The role of adults in play is linked to the play philosophy. In a time of increasing emphasis upon early literacy and numeracy, teachers still consider that free-choice playing, especially when it involves pretend play, is crucial for young children's psycho-social development. Robson and Rowe show that while exploratory play of all kinds helps children to develop creative thinking, it is outdoor play, including gardening and construction, and socio-dramatic play which are noticeably valuable. In such play and creative activity, young children with possible or actual dyslexia can build their knowledge and explore their individual skills, abilities and talents, regardless of any measured intelligence or ability levels. Socio-dramatic activity, in particular, is seen by Robson and Rowe as facilitating creative thinking. For children who experience potential or actual dyslexia, play is doubly important as the time when they are not under pressure from the pedagogical areas that they find most difficult.
