Play and Exploration in Children and Animals

by Power; Thomas G.

• ISBN13: 9780805822410
• ISBN10: 0805822410
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1999-11-01
• Publisher: Psychology Pres

Summary

Play is a paradox. Why would the young of so many species--the very animals at greatest risk for injury and predation--devote so much time and energy to an activity that by definition has no immediate purpose? This question has long puzzled students of animal behavior, and has been the focus of considerable empirical investigation and debate. In this first comprehensive and state-of-the-art review of what we have learned from decades of research on exploration and play in children and animals, Power examines the paradox from all angles. Covering solitary activity as well as play with peers, siblings, and parents, he considers the nature, development, and functions of play, as well as the gender differences in early play patterns. A major purpose is to explore the relevance of the animal literature for understanding human behavior. The nature and amount of children's play varies significantly across cultures, so the author makes cross-cultural comparisons wherever possible. The scope is broad and the range multidisciplinary. He draws on studies by developmental researchers in psychology and other fields, ethologists, anthropologists, sociologists, sociolinguists, early childhood educators, and pediatricians. And he places research on play in the context of research on such related phenomena as prosocial behavior and aggression. Finally, Power points out directions for further inquiry and implications for those who work with young children and their parents. Researchers and students will find Play and Exploration in Children and Animalsan invaluable summary of controversies, methods, and findings; practitioners and educators will find it an invaluable compendium of information relevant to their efforts to enrich play experiences.

Table of Contents

Preface	xi
Introduction	1	(14)
Unanswered Questions About Children's Play	2	(5)
Purpose of This Book	7	(1)
Assumptions of the Present Approach	8	(1)
Difficulties With the Present Approach	9	(2)
Overview	11	(4)
PART I: SOLITARY OBJECT EXPLORATION AND PLAY	15	(94)
Solitary Object Exploration and Play in Animals	17	(38)
Modes of Object Manipulation	19	(4)
Studies of Undifferentiated Object Manipulation	23	(12)
Studies of Object Exploration	35	(4)
Studies of Object Play	39	(8)
Studies of Tool-Use	47	(4)
Gender Differences in Solitary Object-Directed Behavior	51	(1)
Summary and Conclusions: Animal Research	52	(3)
Solitary Object Exploration and Play in Children	55	(54)
Studies of Undifferentiated Object Manipulation During the First 2 Years	56	(7)
Studies of Object Exploration	63	(14)
Studies of Object Play	77	(15)
Studies of Tool-Use	92	(6)
Studies in Non-Western Cultures	98	(3)
Gender Differences in Children's Solitary Object-Directed Behavior	101	(2)
Solitary Object Manipulation: Summary and Conclusions	103	(6)
PART II: PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PLAY	109	(104)
Play-Fighting in Animals	111	(52)
Structure	113	(30)
Functions/Effects	143	(17)
Models of the Evolution of Play-Fighting	160	(1)
Animal Play-Fighting: Summary and Conclusions	160	(3)
Play-Fighting in Children	163	(28)
Structure	164	(11)
Functions/Effects	175	(4)
Symbolic Play-Fighting in Humans: The Case of War Play	179	(8)
Play-Fighting: Summary and Conclusions	187	(4)
Locomotor Play in Animals	191	(12)
Structure	192	(7)
Functions/Effects	199	(4)
Locomotor Play in Children	203	(10)
Structure	204	(5)
Functions/Effects	209	(2)
Locomotor Play: Summary and Conclusions	211	(2)
PART III: SOCIAL OBJECT, SOCIAL PRETEND, AND PARENT-CHILD PLAY	213	(184)
Social Object and Sociodramatic Play in Children	215	(80)
Structure	219	(55)
Functions/Effects	274	(15)
Social Object and Social Pretend Play: Summary and Conclusions	289	(6)
Parent-Child Play	295	(94)
Animal Research	295	(5)
Child Research: Structure	300	(53)
Functions/Effects	353	(22)
Parental Influences on Children's Play	375	(8)
Parent-Child Play: Summary and Conclusions	383	(6)
Conclusions	389	(8)
Is Play a Distinct Motivational/Behavioral Category?	389	(2)
What Exactly Is Play?	391	(1)
Are Comparisons Between Animal and Human Play Meaningful?	392	(2)
What Are the Effects of Play on Development?	394	(1)
Implications for Practice	395	(2)
References	397	(78)
Author Index	475	(20)
Subject Index	495