Citation

Pellegrini AD. Child Dev. Perspect. 2009; 3(2): 131-136.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1750-8606.2009.00092.x

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The role of play in human development is a source of controversy. Some view it as indispensable to children's healthy development and education, whereas others marginalize it as a topic unworthy of study and of questionable functional significance. This article suggests that differences in how researchers define play and conceptualize function have led to this disagreement. It also makes educational policy and research recommendations about the role of play in children's lives.