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Children, Play, and Development
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Children, Play, and Development

Fourth Edition


April 2009 | 384 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

"Quite simply, this is the best text on play and development I have ever read. It was thought provoking while being reader-friendly at the same time. This work is very thorough and would be an excellent text for undergraduate or experienced in-service graduates."
L. Kathryn Sharp, The University of Memphis

A comprehensive look at children's play from birth to adolescence


Children, Play, and Development, Fourth Edition, discusses the relationship of play to the physical, social, intellectual, and emotional growth of the child. Author Fergus P. Hughes focuses on the historical, sociocultural, and ethological context of play; the role of development in play; and the wide range of theories that provide a framework for interpreting play.

The changes in this thoroughly updated Fourth Edition include new information on cultural differences in object play, a critique of experimental research on play across cultures, brain correlates of aggressive play in humans and animals, the development of the young child's ability to distinguish between reality and make-believe, computers in the classroom, the development of emergent literacy, and the impact of attachment on children's development.

Key Features

  • Offers thorough coverage of theoretical perspectives on play, showing readers how theories contribute to a scientific understanding of play
  • Provides an up-to-date review of the literature, with nearly half of the references new to this edition
  • Includes a rich variety of pedagogical features that illustrate key points and help stimulate class discussions
  • Presents Putting Theory Into Practice sections (two per chapter) that contain practical applications of theory and research

High-Quality Ancillaries

Instructor Resources, including PowerPoint slides, test questions, activities, a sample syllabus, teaching tips, and web resources, are available at http://studysites.sagepub.com/hughes4e/.




 
Preface
 
Acknowledgments
 
Part I. The Context of Play
 
1. Historical and Theoretical Viewpoints
 
2. Ethological and Cultural Perspectives
 
Part II. The Development of Play
 
3. The First Two Years of Life
 
4. The Preschool Years: From 2 to 5
 
5. Play in Later Childhood and Adolescence
 
Part III. Individual Differences in Play
 
6. Gender Differences in Play
 
7. Play in Special Populations
 
Part IV. The Benefits of Play
 
8. Play and Intellectual Development
 
9. The Social Benefits of Play
 
10. The Uses of Play in Therapy
 
Glossary
 
References
 
Index
 
About the Author

A new themes that we are teaching throughout the undergraduate sport psychology curriculum. This book will also be of value to students on the PE degree.

Dr Tracey Devonport
Sports, Wolverhampton University
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already provided feedback for some reason this appears twice?

Dr Tracey Devonport
Sports, Wolverhampton University
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Excellent coverage of development through the lens of play. It is particularly useful that the analysis goes beyond the young child to cover adolescence and beyond.

Graham Grace-Gardener
Development and Society, Sheffield Hallam University
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Again a useful generic text, recommended on a number of modules

Lin Savage
Education , University of Cumbria
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Good for additional reading, relevant to many aspects of the course.
Nice, neat, well structured

Mrs Annabel Yale
Social and Psychological Science, Edge Hill University
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Excellent resources included.
Comprehensive

Mrs Denice Williams
Education Division, Indiana University East
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An excellent book from Hughes that provides students with clear and concise information. The emphasis of how play contributes to the holistic development of children was discussed in a variety of ways.

Mrs Donna O'Connor
Hair Beauty & Early Years, NWRC
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Some of the chapters are in support of teaching the EYS2110 module which focuses on promoting children's learning and the role of play. Some interesting parts on the cultural context of play, which students and I have found particularly vaulable. Many thanks.

Mrs Eleonora Teszenyi
School of Education, The University of Northampton
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I would offer this as a supplemental read for students. I thought the learning objectives were useful to give an overview of the chapter. Liked the issues for discussion at the end of the chapters.

Mrs Helen Elliott
Dept. Family Care and Mental Health, Greenwich University
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I am trying to find a book about play which would replace the Moyles, Excellence of Play and this book didn't suit this level. However I would refer to this book for the NC students.

Mrs Jenny Fraser-Smith
Business, Health & Social Studies, Moray College
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