Overview
Main description
The Trouble with Play is a radical departure from some of the ideas about play that are held dear by many in early childhood education. For many, play is considered essential to children's development and learning, and is often promoted as a universal and almost magical 'fix'. Although play does have many proven benefits for children, the authors show that play in the early years is not always innocent, fun and natural. Play can also be political and involve morals, ethics, values and power.
So, what if...
- Play is not fair
- Play is not equitable
- Play is not innocent
- Play is not fun
- Play is not natural
The book prompts teachers to understand and implement more thoughtful approaches to play in the early years.
Through vignettes, practical activities and reflection points the authors encourage discussion about new ways of seeing and thinking about play and argue for new approaches to pedagogy and the role of the teacher. It is valuable reading for anyone involved in early childhood education.
Table of contents
The meaning of play in early childhood education: Play as learning?
Play as fun: Play as hard work
Naturally produced play
The glamour of play: Play as serious business
Play rules: Rules for play
Fair play: Playing fair
Play and early childhood curriculum documents
End play
Author comments
Sue Grieshaber and Felicity McArdle are both educators and researchers at the School of Early Childhood, Queensland University of Technology, Australia. Before moving to the university sector, Sue and Felicity worked as classroom teachers in urban, rural and remote early childhood settings.
