Marilyn Fleer holds the Foundation Chair of Early Childhood Education at Monash University, Australia.

'This is a powerful, rich book that will contribute to deeper ways of thinking about early childhood education, children and the role of cultural-historical experience in children's lives.' Dr Beverley Clark, Associate Head of School (Academic), School of Education Te Kura Matauranga AUT University

• Part I. Learning and Development in Play: 1. A political-pedagogical landscape; 2. Parallel conceptual worlds; 3. Teacher beliefs about teaching concepts; 4. Valued curriculum concepts in early education; 5. Teacher knowledge of subject matter concepts; 6. Empirical and narrative knowledge development in play; 7. Children building theoretical knowledge in play; Part II. Cultural–Historical Theories of Play and Learning: 8. Cultural–historical programs that afford play development – play as a leading activity; 9. Theories about play and learning; 10. The imaginative act as conceptual play; Part III. Learning and Development as Cultural Practice: 11. Views on child development matter; 12. A revolutionary view of development; 13. Children's development as participation in everyday practices across institutions; 14. A cultural–historical view of play, learning and development.

Marilyn Fleer holds the Foundation Chair of Early Childhood Education at Monash University, Australia.

'This is a powerful, rich book that will contribute to deeper ways of thinking about early childhood education, children and the role of cultural-historical experience in children's lives.' Dr Beverley Clark, Associate Head of School (Academic), School of Education Te Kura Matauranga AUT University

• Part I. Learning and Development in Play: 1. A political-pedagogical landscape; 2. Parallel conceptual worlds; 3. Teacher beliefs about teaching concepts; 4. Valued curriculum concepts in early education; 5. Teacher knowledge of subject matter concepts; 6. Empirical and narrative knowledge development in play; 7. Children building theoretical knowledge in play; Part II. Cultural–Historical Theories of Play and Learning: 8. Cultural–historical programs that afford play development – play as a leading activity; 9. Theories about play and learning; 10. The imaginative act as conceptual play; Part III. Learning and Development as Cultural Practice: 11. Views on child development matter; 12. A revolutionary view of development; 13. Children's development as participation in everyday practices across institutions; 14. A cultural–historical view of play, learning and development.