The Development of Play

Why do children play?

What can children learn from playing?

What have psychologists learned from 150 years of studying play – usually a bit too seriously?

The Development of Play explores the central role of play in childhood development. David Cohen examines how children play with objects, with language, and most importantly with each other and their parents. He explains how play enables children to learn how to move, think, speak and imagine, as well as to develop emotionally and socially. Incorporating much of the recent research in this area, including that of John Flavell, Henry Wellman and others, The Development of Play shows how play encourages children to grasp the difference between appearance and reality.

This new edition updates and builds on the previous two editions, to include new research on pretending and the theory of mind, autism and how parents can play creatively with their children. Play therapy, the history of play and how play is dealt with in the media are also covered. The book addresses the often ignored subject of adult games and why adults sometimes find it difficult to play. The Development of Play offers a fascinating review of the importance of play in all our lives.

David Cohen is a film maker, and Director of Psychology News