The Cambridge Handbook of Play: Developmental and Disciplinary Perspectives (Cambridge Handbooks in Psychology)

Play takes up much of the time budget of young children, and many animals, but its importance in development remains contested. This comprehensive collection brings together multidisciplinary and developmental perspectives on the forms and functions of play in animals, children in different societies, and through the lifespan. The Cambridge Handbook of Play covers the evolution of play in animals, especially mammals; the development of play from infancy through childhood and into adulthood; historical and anthropological perspectives on play; theories and methodologies; the role of play in children's learning; play in special groups such as children with impairments, or suffering political violence; and the practical applications of playwork and play therapy. Written by an international team of scholars from diverse disciplines such as psychology, education, neuroscience, sociology, evolutionary biology and anthropology, this essential reference presents the current state of the field in play research.

Peter K. Smith is Emeritus Professor of Psychology at the Unit for School and Family Studies, Department of Psychology at Goldsmiths, University of London. He has published thirty books, and over 200 refereed journal articles. He is author of Understanding School Bullying (2014), co-author of Understanding Children's Development (6th edition, 2015) and co-editor of the Handbook of Childhood Social Development (2nd edition, 2010).

Jaipaul L. Roopnarine is the Pearl S. Falk Professor of Human Development at Syracuse University, New York, and Professor of Developmental Psychology at Anton de Kom University of Suriname. He has co-edited several notable volumes on culture and development and is editor of the Caribbean Journal of Psychology.