Setting out the key principles that underpin children's play, this book critically discusses the different perspectives that affect play, and recommends strategies for planning for play within different contexts, and for different professional sectors. The book draws on research from sociological and philosophical perspectives, and from social studies of childhood, and features international case studies and comparisons to provide a comprehensive overview of the subject.

Chapters include: 

• barriers to children's play
• health and development implications of constraints on play
• the role of policy
• the role of schools
• the role of play advocacy