All children play. But many people don't know the importance of play and its relationship to child development. This book offers important research on the topic of play, stressing its significant role in children's lives. This book offers a comprehensive look at children's play from birth to adolescence. Stressing the developmental and psychological importance of play, it discusses the relationship of play to the physical, social, intellectual and emotional growth of the child. Increased attention is paid to educational issues in this edition, and numerous vignettes are included throughout the book to illustrate the value of play. Topics include gender differences in play, intellectual development and play, and play in special populations, amongst others. Early childhood educators and administrators, psychologists, social workers, and university professors.