Jane Waters-Davies is an Associate Professor in Early Childhood Education at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. Originally a teacher in London, she has worked in higher education in Wales for over 25 years, leading programmes in Early Childhood Studies,  and Initial Teacher Education and Doctorate in Education. Jane is now involved in research, works with postgraduate research students in the field of education, and sits on the Welsh Government advisory panel for early years. Her doctorate explored the affordances for interaction and child agency in the outdoor and indoor spaces of the early years at school. Her research interests lie in young children’s participation, play and learning, outdoor play and early concept development, and the professional education of those working with young children. She is passionate about the importance of early childhood educators understanding the complexities of their professional role, being able to advocate for playful learning on behalf of children, and being respected for the tremendous work they do.

‘Introduction to Play’, written by an array of well-educated authors, is utterly brilliant. It is jam-packed, teaching on all aspects of play, on a broad and deep scale. It speaks of what play is, the importance of play, the many different theorists that pioneered models of play, the positive health and well-being encouraged through play, the role of the adult in play, and much more. It is simply written, giving greater depth of understanding to the reader, with extra summary boxes to clarify what has been read. It also gives specific questions to consider within a Reflection Point section. This book is great if you are an Early Years Educator, a training Early Years practitioner, or even a new mum! It could benefit anyone who works with children, within different capacities. This is a superb resource!

• Introduction - Jane Waters-DaviesPart I: What is Play?Chapter 1: What is play? - Natalie MacDonaldChapter 2: Children’s right to play - Jane Waters-DaviesChapter 3: Types of play - Alison Rees-EdwardsChapter 4: Play pioneers and their legacy - Alison MurphyPart II: Why is Play Important?Chapter 5: Play, learning and development - Natalie Canning & Angela RekersChapter 6: Play, and early language and communication - Amanda BatemanChapter 7: Play, creativity and wellbeing - Charlotte Greenway & Laura HutchingsPart III: Where does Play Happen?Chapter 8: Enabling environments: indoors and out - Jennifer ClementChapter 9: Outdoor play - Glenda TinneyChapter 10: Play in the digital world: beyond the binary logic - Pekka Mertala & Saara SalomaaChapter 11: The place of play in the Early Years curricula of the UK - Carys JenningsChapter 12: The role of the adult in supporting play - Angela Rekers with Mel McCreeChapter 13: Play and inclusion - Nanna Ryder & Charlotte GreenwayChapter 14: Play in community spaces - Alex SouthernChapter 15: Intergenerational play - Margaret Kernan, Giulia Cortellesi & Mariana PalazuelosPart IV: International PerspectivesChapter 16: Cultural framing of expectations for play - Angela Rekers & Jane Waters-DaviesChapter 17: Play in extremis - Debra Laxton & Linda CooperChapter 18: Playful learning around the world - Sarah Chicken & Sarah WhitehouseClosing remarks: Is play under threat? - Jane Waters-Davies