Play and Development: Evolutionary, Sociocultural, and Functional Perspectives (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780805863147)

Children's play is a universal human activity, and one that serves a significant purpose in personal development.

Throughout this volume, which is an extension of the 33rd Annual Meeting of the Jean Piaget Society, the editors and contributors explore assumptions about play and its status as a unique and universal activity in humans.

As a whole, Play and Development delves into three lines of research concerning this topic: examining these assumptions from an ethological perspective, exploring the view of research that shows play to be socially and culturally constructed, and looking at varied applications of play in the different contexts of childhood.

Topics covered in this volume include:

• evolutionary foundations and functions of play
• children's play as cultural interpretation
• the use of imagination in children's play
• the imaginary companions created by children and adults

This volume will be of interest to scholars and researchers in the fields of developmental psychology and cognitive development, and will be sought out by active researchers and practitioners in the field.

Author: Artin Goncu
ISBN-10: 0805863141
ISBN-13: 9780805863147
Publisher: Psychology Press
Language: English
Published: 01/15/2007
Pages: 324
Format: Paperback
Weight: 0.98lbs
Size: 8.91h x 6.76w x 0.66d