The Role of Play in Human Development

Anthony Pellegrini is Professor of Psychology, Department of Educational Psychology, University of Minnesota.

• Chapter 1 Getting Here From There: An Introduction to My Study of PlayChapter 2 Play: What is it?Chapter 3 Theories of PlayChapter 4 Play and Behavioral PlasticityChapter 5 Play in CultureChapter 6 Functions of PlayChapter 7 Social PlayChapter 8 Children's Use of Objects in Exploration, Play, and as ToolsChapter 9 Locomotor PlayChapter 10 Pretend PlayChapter 11 The Role of GamesChapter 12 The Role of Play in EducationChapter 13 Conclusion: Taking a Lesson from Sir Thomas Gersham

"Preoccupation with educational attainment among ambitious parents and school teachers has meant that much of a child's normal development -- and particularly their engagement in play -- is crowded out of a busy timetable. Drawing on a broad base of contemporary research, Tony Pellegrini shows how important opportunities for play in all its manifestations can be for the subsequent mental and physical health of children. Every parent and educator should readit."--Sir Patrick Bateson, Emeritus Professor of Ethology, University of Cambridge"This book is a personal, yet comprehensive, review of play in children in all its diversity by a master who has contributed enormously to the field in many areas. Pellegrini provides an up-to-date theoretical and empirical integration of play research with thoughtful and stimulating suggestions for future studies. Play is increasingly being recognized as a major understudied aspect of the human condition and this book should be required reading for allentering the maze of play."--Gordon M. Burghardt, Alumni Distinguished Service Professor, Departments of Psychology and Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee"Tony Pellegrini distills a wide range of research findings, including his own important contributions, into an authoritative account of play research today. There is an exemplary overview of different theoretical perspectives. This thorough but very readable book will be invaluable for those concerned about the place of play in development and in education."--Peter K Smith, Goldsmiths, University of London, U.K."This book is an excellent introduction to the critical role of play in early childhood development...The Role of Play in Human Development is relevant for anyone interested in developmental psychology, educational psychology, evolutionary biology, and play theory relating to anthropology...Another population who would find this book educational and beneficial is students in advanced undergraduate and graduate-level psychology, social work, andeducation courses interested in examining and learning about the complexities of play in human development...It is comprehensive yet readily understandable, well organized, and clearly presented."--PsycCRITIQUES