The Value of Play (Hardcover)

Defining play
Playing - just for children?
A definition of play
The play process

2. What gets in the way of children playing?

Family and friends
Legislation impacting on children
Influences of the media
Concerns with 'safety'
Children need to take risks

3. Why is play valuable?

Ways of looking at play
The Integral Play Framework
Levels of ability and understanding
Different types of play - play types

4. Playing actively

Starting early
Using our bodies actively
Supporting access to the wider environment
Enhancing spaces for play
Using the elements

5. Playing through feelings and thoughts

How the brain and mind work
Perceptual play
Impulsive play
Emotional play
Imaginative play
Getting serious - deep play
All in the mind?

6. Playing through culture

Influences on cultural play
Games that children play
Playful and creative approaches
Play with roles
Rituals and play

7. Playing with others

Playing at home
Playing in groups
Children and gender
Communication play
Social play
Participation - listening to children and young people
Playing globally

8. Grown up play

How adults play
Staying playful
A 'beautiful intelligence'
Auto-erotism
A playful intelligence

9. A Play History - From Plato to the Play Ethic

10. The Every Child Matters framework in England

Appendix

References