ABSTRACT

Historical changes in play are taking place in childhood all over the world, with the digitalisation of children’s lives. Researchers are worried about the disappearance of advanced forms of play and the prioritization of time spent with loving adults, supporting play with babies and toddlers. At the same time, our understanding about the crucial importance of individual development is becoming clearer.

The Routledge International Handbook of Early Childhood Play explores these issues and more. It proposes the importance of adult participation in play, as adult guidance brings the possibility of moral, cultural and symbolic elements to children’s play, and enhances the educational opportunities in adult-child joint play. The book also examines the aesthetic dimension of play and its role in the development of imagination and creativity.

With contributors from many parts of the world, this unique handbook brings together the latest research and highlights practice which focuses on play. This is an essential and engaging read for all students, academics, teachers and practitioners with an interest in play.

part I|79 pages

Selected historical approaches to children’s play

chapter 1|13 pages

Ponderings on play

Froebelian assemblages

chapter 2|11 pages

Locating play today

chapter 3|13 pages

Play birth to three

Treasure Baskets and Heuristic Play, the legacy of Elinor Goldschmied (1910–2009)

chapter 4|12 pages

Cultural-historical play theory

part III|45 pages

Socio-dramatic play

chapter 11|14 pages

Changing our world

Dialogic dramatic playing with young children

chapter 13|13 pages

Playing on the edge

Adventure, risk and challenge in play outdoors

part IV|77 pages

Observing and intervening in play

chapter 14|15 pages

Chimp and child

Are there similarities in their play?

chapter 15|18 pages

Play with infants

The impulse for human storytelling

chapter 17|16 pages

Pooh bear’s turn!

An Australian study of adults using special toys to develop play complexity from within children’s imaginary play

part V|55 pages

Play environments, toys and partners

chapter 20|15 pages

Collaborative play with dramatization

An afterschool programme of “Playshop” in a Japanese early childhood setting

chapter 21|16 pages

Digital playworlds in an australia context

Supporting double subjectivity

part VI|42 pages

Development and learning in play