This accessible and practical book provides practitioners with a tool-kit for observing and assessing children's play through a unique Social Play Continuum, developed by the author over the course of a decade working in early years classrooms. The author also provides a framework for reflection on and the development of traditional areas of provision across the 3-7 age range, and will help the practitioner acquire an enhanced understanding of the links between intellectual development, the growth of language and the emotional well being of young children.

By helping the reader to develop their understanding of the complex relationships between play and learning, Play and Learning in the Early Years examines current theoretical perspectives on play, alongside examples of recent and innovative play research from a range of disciplinary and methodological perspectives. With contributions from leading play scholars, it brings together theory, research, policy and practice in relation to play and learning in early years settings. The emphasis is on the relationship between play and learning, and play and pedagogy, and the need to understand these...