Introduction to play / edited by Jane Waters-Davies.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction -- Part I: What is play? -- What is play? -- Children's right to play -- Types of play -- Play pioneers and their legacy -- Part II: Why is play important -- Play, learning and development -- Play, early language and communication -- Play, creativity and well-being -- Part III: Where does play happen? -- Enabling environments: indoors and out -- Outdoor play -- Play in the digital world: beyond the binary logic -- The place of play in the early years curricula of the UK -- The role of the adult in supporting play -- Play and inclusion -- Play in community spaces -- Intergenerational play -- Part IV: International perspectives -- Cultural framing of expectations for play -- Play in extremis -- Playful learning around the world -- Closing remarks: Is play under threat?

"Covering ages 0-8, this book explores what play is, why it matters and where and how play happens. Taking you from start to finish on your course, it helps you: think critically about play and play provision, understand what good practice looks like, see how theory translates into real-world settings, explore the issues, debates, and challenges within play and early learning" -- provided by publisher.