Description
Book SynopsisThe importance of play for healthy development is undeniable. Aspects of play have been linked to the development of social skills, health and fitness, motivation, curiosity, innovation, imagination, and problem solving. Both theory and research suggest that play of various types is critical for healthy development and that playfulness is an important quality across the life span. However, opportunities to play and quality of play facilities in schools, after-school programs, childcare centers, community parks, and museums are not equitable by race, socio-economic status, and ability. And racial profiling, immigrant status, illness, and incarceration interfere with child's play. The first section of the book defines play and social justice and describes disparities in play opportunities in childcare, schools, and communities as well as inequities in how play is interpreted. The next section describes pre-school, elementary, high school, and university programs that use play to liber
Trade Review
“Play and Social Justice: Equity, Advocacy, and Opportunity presents valuable insights into the connections between play and social justice in the lives of children. This is exploration of the topic is an important read for any individual who hopes to create opportunities for children to learn and grow through the process of play while developing the consciousness required to transform their world for the better. It is a welcome addition to the collection of scholarship that aims to humanize the experiences of children and the value of play in our world.” — Brian Williams, Director, Alonzo A. Crim Center for Urban Educational Excellence; Clinical Professor, Department of Early Childhood and Elementary Education; College of Education and Human Development, Georgia State University
“Play and Social Justice: Equity, Advocacy, and Opportunity is a vital resource for all who recognize the critical place of play in the lives of all children. The contributors have not only meticulously outlined the current inequities of play, particularly for children and communities of marginalized groups, but they have also given us clear, powerful examples of how to advocate and promote play. Thank you for leading the way to play as a form of social justice!” —Debora Wisneski, Professor Teacher Education Department University of Nebraska, Omaha; Past President of The Association for the Study of Play (TASP); Co-editor, Reconsidering the Role of Play in Early Childhood: Towards Social Justice and Equity
Table of Contents
Play and Social Justice: The Issues – The Nature of Play and the Nature of Social Justice – Issues, Disparities, and Inequities in Play Opportunity – Leveling the Playing Field – Teaching and Pedagogical Practices – Community and Institutional Programs and Programming – Play Research Methods and Advocacy – Appendix Resources for Play Advocates – Index – About the Authors.
