United States, 1900 to 1930

Play in the United States during the early part of the 20th century was influenced by a range of events in the United States and around the world, such as World War I, the Great Depression, and the expansion of the Second Industrial Revolution. The ecological factors affected not only how play occurred but also how play was studied. Although remnants of play that occurred during this time period can be observed on some playgrounds, play investigations conducted during this time are still used as the benchmark for current studies of play.

The beginning of the new century was accompanied by an interest in allowing children to express their feelings. Children played at home, in neighborhoods, and for those who attended, at school. Because there were few enticements to stay inside cold homes in the winter and warm homes in the summer, outdoor play was a regular part of a child's life. Games such as Tag, Ring Around the Rosie, and chasing lighting bugs were a regular part of the evening ritual. Play was gender specific, with girls playing with dolls and dollhouses as their brothers played Marbles or games with pretend weapons. Outdoors, boys and girls played together during [Page 754]group games such as making mudpies, sledding in the winter, or playing Tag or Hopscotch in the summer.

After 10 years, the notion that children should play on their own was enveloped by a focus on behaviorism in which play was valued only as a way to bring about social reform. Both B.E Skinner and John B. Watson influenced how schools and parents viewed play. At this time, schools in different communities were operated by community residents, and the language of the specific culture was often heard during play. Children in German schools in Pennsylvania spoke Dutch, children in Irish schools in New York spoke Irish, and children in some communities spoke multiple languages. Because children enjoyed a morning recess, an evening recess, and a lunch recess, play was a major part of the school day and provided an avenue for children to assimilate into the culture. With the influence of behaviorism, play served as a medium for evoking social or personal change and was more supervised and controlled by adults.