The Power of Play: Learning What Comes Naturally

From an expert in childhood development, a book that emphasizes the importance of imaginative play, and how it sets children up for success in the classroom.

While parents may worry that their children will be at a disadvantage if they are not engaged in constant, explicit learning or using the latest "educational" games, David Elkind's The Power of Play reassures us that unscheduled imaginative play is essential. Through expert research and situational examples, Elkind shows that creative spontaneous activity best sets the stage for academic learning.

An important contribution to the literature about how children learn, The Power of Play suggests ways to restore play's respected place in children's lives. It encourages parents to trust their instincts and resist the promise of the dubious array of educational products on the market geared to youngsters.

David Elkind, PhD, is a professor emeritus of the Eliot-Pearson Department of Child Development at Tufts University and the author of more than a dozen books, including The Hurried Child and The Power of Play. Through his writings, media appearances, and lectures in the United States and abroad, he is recognized as one of the leading advocates for the preservation of childhood. He lives on Cape Cod.