Conceptual, Social-Cognitive, and Contextual Issues in the Fields of Play

by Roopnarine, Jaipaul L.

• ISBN13: 9781567506488
• ISBN10: 1567506488
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-12-01
• Publisher: PRAEGER AGENCY ACCOUNT

Summary

The research and theoretical contributions of international and multidisciplinary scholars have advanced our understanding of the role of play in evolution and behavior. The diverse articles in this volume range from theoretical and conceptual advances, scientific investigations, to discourse about applied issues and different dimensions of play. The authors provide excursions into the adaptive, cultural, and social significance of play. The databased papers fall into four categories: the role of age, gender, and ethnicity in play participation, social-cognitive connections to play, fighting and play fighting, and play and process in adulthood. Play is defined as behavior that is not necessary to survival and yet is undertaken voluntarily as a method by which to improve the quality of life. This study, addressing the definition, role, and characteristics of play, falls within the research of education, psychology, anthropology, sociology, leisure studies, and primatology. The play of humans and nonhumans takes a variety of forms and serves multiple purposes within mental and emotional states of being. The motivation and impact of play behavior varies with the type of play performed. The studies included in this volume address simple games, more complex creative activities, the emotional implications of play throughout adult life, and the role of play in human social construction.

Author Biography

JAIPAUL L. ROOPNARINE is Professor of Education at Brooklyn College of The City University of New York.

Table of Contents

Editor's Note	ix
Part I. Conceptual Issues Regarding Play
Recapitulation Redressed	3	(20)
Brian Sutton-Smith
Huizinga's Contributions to Play Studies: A Reappraisal	23	(30)
Thomas Henricks
Cultural Constraints on Children's Play	53	(10)
David F. Lancy
Part II. Role of Age, Gender, and Ethnicity in Play
Play in Same-Age and Multiage Grouping Arrangements	63	(14)
James F. Christie
Sandra J. Stone
Rebecca Deutscher
Block Play Complexity in Same-Sex Dyads of Preschool Children	77	(16)
Dorothy Justus Sluss
Play of Language-Minority Children in an Early Childhood Setting	93	(18)
Mellisa A. Clawson
Developmental Aspects of Play-Partner Selection in Young Rhesus Monkeys	111	(16)
Peggy O'Neill-Wagner
Rosemary Bolig
Cristofer S. Price
Part III. Social-Cognitive Connections to Play
The Relationship between Creativity and Cognitive Abilities in Preschoolers	127	(22)
Robyn M. Holmes
Christine J. Geiger
The Play of Early Writing	149	(16)
Phyllis Neves
Stuart Reifel
Parental Scaffolding during Joint Play with Preschoolers	165	(18)
Maureen Vandermaas-Peeler
Catherine King
Amy Clayton
Mindi Holt
Kristen Kurtz
Lisa Maestri
Erica Morris
Emily Woody
Increasing Play Competence for Very Young Children: How Two Early Head Start Home Visitors Conceptualize and Actualize Their Roles	183	(26)
Susan J. Welteroth
Finding the Humor in Children's Play	209	(14)
Doris Bergen
Part IV. Playfighting
Perceptions of Playfighting and Real Fighting: Effects of Sex and Participant Status	223	(12)
Anthony D. Pellegrini
Comparing Pupil and Teacher Perceptions for Playful Fighting, Serious Fighting, and Positive Peer Interaction	235	(14)
Peter K. Smith
Rebecca Smees
Anthony D. Pellegrini
Ersilia Menesini
Part V. Adult Play
Play and Process: Adult Play Embedded in the Daily Routine	249	(30)
Erna Imperatore Blanche
Author Index	279	(6)
Subject Index	285	(4)
About the Contributors	289