The importance of play
The importance of play demonstrates the challenges of pinning down the umbrella word ‘play’ against a backcloth of terminology that leads to fragmentation of the word. In the educational context an emphasis on the lighter side has developed, such as playfulness, which leaves the more serious side shaded with consequent underemphasis of the self-healing nature of early childhood play. To address these challenges, the focus of the chapter is on the importance of 12 features of play, which bring some solidarity and unity to the study and practice of play without forcing conformity of view. The influence of philosophy, theories, and the sustained impact of Froebelian approaches to play on government documents in the UK provides navigational tools for practitioners, supported by research evidence, giving status and articulating the importance of play.