Brian Sutton-Smith presents a lively, contemplative and challenging
theoretical discussion of the "category of diverse
learnings."..that make up play...Sutton-Smith presents a variety of
play dimensions that cause disturbance of theoretical certainty and
bring together hitherto unconnected ideas on play in the tradition
of creativity. The book explores its chosen rhetorics in a
scholarly and yet undeniably accessible way. The material included
is multi-faceted and multi-layered drawing on theories across the
centuries and presenting a case for a new look at play. Play is
taken beyond the rhetoric of progress leaving the reader alive and
alert to the possibilities of play that transcend generations and
cultures.--Jill Williams "British Journal of Educational Studies
"
asked to define it, explain its function, or even identify players,
its paradoxical nature becomes apparent--it is and is not what it
appears to be. Does and does not have a function, is and is not the
purview of children.
This book provides a comprehensive analysis of extant theory and
research on the subject of play in children and adults in a variety
of cultural contexts with relevant comparisons to play in nonhuman
species. The work is thorough and well referenced and provides new
insights on a classic topic in children's social development. The
primary issue addressed is the ambiguous nature of play. Although
we have a sense of what constitutes play, when asked to define it,
explain its function, or even identify players, its paradoxical
nature becomes apparent--it is and is not what it appears to be.
Does and does not have a function, is and is not the purview of
children.
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