Play and Early Childhood Education

Play is perhaps the roomiest area of early childhood education (ECE) in terms of researchers’ interest. Play, policies, and practices is the largest special interest forum of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). The topic is included in some way in practically every issue of journals and magazines devoted to young children; and many books have been published with the word play in the title. These works have been theoretical and research focused as well as practical and policy leaning in nature. If anything, the field’s interest in play is increasing. [Page 1017]Hardly a week goes by without yet another publication of a new book on the subject, or an announcement of a major forthcoming convention or community event centered on ...