Children's Play: The Roots of Reading

by Edward F. Zigler (Editor)

Zigler (Center in Child Development and Social Policy, Yale University) assembles experts in play research, child development, and early childhood education to examine recent policy decisions affecting play in the early childhood classroom and to demonstrate the importance of play in helping children learn basic literacy skills, social awareness, a

Genres: Education, Parenting, Teaching

200 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2004

About the author

Edward Frank Zigler was an American developmental psychologist and Sterling Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Yale University. In addition to his academic research on child development, he was best known as one of the architects of the federal Head Start program.

Reviews

[Susan]

Mostly my fault, I didn’t realize how academic this was going to be. But I also found the essays to be a bit uneven.

[Emily]

This book is a series of essays and research studies that advocate for the use of play in supporting literacy development and school readiness in young children. Each chapter sites many sources within the text. Some chapters are easier to read and understand than others. The play discussed is primarily dramatic play.

[Amy]

This is a rather dry book, but with useful information. It encourages a holistic approach to healthy child development and the development of literacy, especially focusing on the value of free play and guided play in early childhood education centers and at home.