Discover the universal language of childhood! Play, Development, and Early Education challenges the reader to discover what play is and how to incorporate it into a curriculum for children from toddlerhood through the primary grades. The nature of play as a mode for learning is examined through three core ideas: the quality of play in early childhood, play as a means of self-expression, and play as a channel of communication to achieving social sense. In addition, the text addresses the role of parents in supporting and elaborating play, the direct connections between research and play practice, and the value of play in relation to the total development (cognitive, affective, emotional, social, and physical) of all children. Praise for Play, Development, and Early Education "To say that I am impressed with this text would be making an understatement of the year. We in early childhood education have needed such a text for a long time." Dr. Ramona E. Patterson, South Louisiana Community College "The authors have written an extensive account showing the scope and depth of children's play including the current trends, research, and informed opinions on the importance of childhood play." Regina C.M. Williams, Central Ohio Technical College About the authors James E. Johnson is Professor of Early Childhood Education at The Pennsylvania State University. His scholarly activities center around children's play, early childhood programs, and the educational role of the family. He has authored textbooks on early childhood programs and play. James F. Christie is Professor of Curriculum and Instruction at Arizona State University. His research interests include children's play and early literacy development. He has co-authored two other textbooks with Allyn & Bacon on early literacy. Francis Wardle studied play in Guatemala and Brazil, and is an international expert on outdoor play for young children. Currently Dr. Wardle teaches at Red Rocks Community College and the University of Phoenix--Colorado Campus, consults for Head Start, and writes both books, including an introductory early childhood education textbook for Allyn & Bacon, and articles for a variety of national publications.