Milda Bredikyte – författare

The book is inspired with the Vygotskian perspective on play support and invites readers to learn about existing play practices based on cultural-historical approach from different countries and reflect on their own play support strategy. It will also provide a research-based guide for practitioners on how to use a cultural-historical approach to enhance their play practice and create conditions for play development.Including practical cases and covering a range of contexts, authors explore key challenges of play support and highlights the a variety of topics including:· Concept of play: cultural-historical perspective on play· Treasures of play: the role of play with imaginary situation in a child’s development· Play support - the role of an adult in supporting playThe authors also provide tools for pedagogical observation, will show how we can learn about crucial conditions for play development from cultural-historical perspectives, and how to create them in preschool settings. Readers can reflect on their role in play support and learn about playful adults as partners and mediators in collaborative play, using tools for reflexive analysis of their own play support strategy.The book is an ideal choice for Early Years practitioners, researchers, policy makers and all who are interested in cultural-historical approach and play support.

The book is inspired with the Vygotskian perspective on play support and invites readers to learn about existing play practices based on cultural-historical approach from different countries and reflect on their own play support strategy. It will also provide a research-based guide for practitioners on how to use a cultural-historical approach to enhance their play practice and create conditions for play development.Including practical cases and covering a range of contexts, authors explore key challenges of play support and highlights the a variety of topics including:· Concept of play: cultural-historical perspective on play· Treasures of play: the role of play with imaginary situation in a child’s development· Play support - the role of an adult in supporting playThe authors also provide tools for pedagogical observation, will show how we can learn about crucial conditions for play development from cultural-historical perspectives, and how to create them in preschool settings. Readers can reflect on their role in play support and learn about playful adults as partners and mediators in collaborative play, using tools for reflexive analysis of their own play support strategy.The book is an ideal choice for Early Years practitioners, researchers, policy makers and all who are interested in cultural-historical approach and play support.

Historical changes in play are taking place in childhood all over the world, with the digitalisation of children’s lives. Researchers are worried about the disappearance of advanced forms of play and the prioritization of time spent with loving adults, supporting play with babies and toddlers. At the same time, our understanding about the crucial importance of individual development is becoming clearer. The Routledge International Handbook of Early Childhood Play explores these issues and more. It proposes the importance of adult participation in play, as adult guidance brings the possibility of moral, cultural and symbolic elements to children’s play, and enhances the educational opportunities in adult-child joint play. The book also examines the aesthetic dimension of play and its role in the development of imagination and creativity. With contributors from many parts of the world, this unique handbook brings together the latest research and highlights practice which focuses on play. This is an essential and engaging read for all students, academics, teachers and practitioners with an interest in play.