Playthings as learning tools

Abstract

Play can occur at any time or in any place; it bears directly on the development of such fundamentals as the learning of language and mathematical ideas and the development of thinking skills and social roles. The following three activities focus on how playthings and play activities contribute to children's intellectual development. We want to state at the outset, however, that play also contributes to children's physical, social, and emotional development. We recognize that play is important to all these areas. But here we consider the contribution of play to one area of development, that is, intellectual growth, or what children can learn.