Most people would agree that young children need to play and should be allowed to play. However, the problem is that understandings of what play is or why it may be important differ sharply. 

Play in the Early Years offers students an accessible introduction to Play by considering key concepts and current debates taking place here and now. The theoretical underpinning encourages students to be critical in their exploration and provides them with a strong foundation for their own research and practice. Case studies, spotlights on research and special study features help students to connect theory with practice and the broad range of topics covered makes this the ideal textbook to support students throughout their whole course.