Pentti Hakkarainen

D. B. El'konin and the evolution of developmental psychology

Tina Bruce

Milda Bredikyte

Historical changes in play are taking place in childhood all over the world, with the digitalisation of children’s lives. Researchers are worried about the disappearance of advanced forms of play and the prioritization of time spent with loving adults, supporting play with babies and toddlers. At the same time, our understanding about the crucial importance of individual development is becoming clearer. The Routledge International Handbook of Early Childhood Play explores these issues and more. It proposes the importance of adult participation in play, as adult guidance brings the possibility of moral, cultural and symbolic elements to children’s play, and enhances the educational opportunities in adult-child joint play. The book also examines the aesthetic dimension of play and its role in the development of imagination and creativity. With contributors from many parts of the world, this unique handbook brings together the latest research and highlights practice which focuses on play. This is an essential and engaging read for all students, academics, teachers and practitioners with an interest in play.

The Routledge International Handbook of Early Childhood Play

Aino Saar

This volume compiles articles based on the presentations delivered at two conferences. The conferences presented a multidisciplinary overview of research on children's play in different cultural contexts. The articles are grouped under six subheadings: play in the family context, play in the zone of proximal development, play in the kindergarten, play and learning, play and toys, and the history and future of play in society. The articles are: (1) "Estonian Parents' Comprehension of Children's Play and Toys" (Aino Saar and Lehte Tuuling); (2) "Relations between Family Members According to the Kvebaek Family Sculpture Technique: A Comparative Study of Families with and without Mentally Retarded Children" (Marika Veisson); (3) "Play and Expansive Learning in Day Care" (Pentii Hakkarainen); (4) "Children's Play and the Creative Process" (E. Peter Johnsen); (5) "Exploring the Zone of Proximal Development" (Bert van Oers); (6) "Joint Action in Young Children's Play in a Day Care Centre" (Maritta Hannikainen); (7) "The Aesthetics of Play: A Didactic Study of Play and Culture in Preschools" (Gunilla Lindqvist); (8) "Play and Learning in Preschool" (Gunni Karrby); (9) "Lithuanian Folk Games--A Reflection of Ethnic Culture" (Aldona Vaicheine); (10) "The Role of Folkloric Musical-Didactic Play in a Child's Development" (Maie Vikat); (11) "Toys and Early Literacy Development" (James F. Christie); (12) "Cross-Cultural Study of Estonian and Finnish Children's Toy Preference" (Soili Keskinen and Anu Leppiman); (13) "Victimization on the Way to Hero-Making in the Play of 7-8-Year-Old American Boys" (Joseph J. Dambrauskas); (14) "Play, Education, and Culture--A Problematic Combination" (Jarmo Kinos); and (15) "The Future of Children's Play in a Changing Society and the Task of Educational Theory" (Hein Retter). Each article contains references. (HTH).

Pentti Hakkarainen

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