Review by Denni Morrison, lecturer in psychology and child development at Hertford Regional College. This is a book that hardly needs reviewing. It's by Tina Bruce and it's about play. What more do you need to know? This deceptively simple book is in two parts. Part one sets the scen historically, culturally and politically, taking the reader throufht the study and theory of play, while part two gives practical ways in which adults can help children to develop their play. This book will make a useful text ofr most childcare students, and DCE tutors especially will find it an invaluable resource when teaching observation skills, as the author sets out in detail not only how to observe but also why we need to observe and how we relate our findings to theories. The clear, bright photographs illustrate the text beautifully, and because most of them follow a child through a sequence of play, they can be used to highlight exactly what it is we are looking for in observations. Although the book covers the age range nought to six, the author has concentrated mainly on three- to five-year-olds and has linked this book to the QCA document Curriculum guidance for the Foundation Stage (2000). Throughout the latter chapters, red boxes link the text to the Early Learning Goals. Each chapter is clearly set out and signposted and the headings are colour-coded so even the most reluctant students should be able to find their way around with ease. Important words in the text are highlighted, making it easy to skim and find what you are looking for, and key features are contained in bright boxes on nearly every page. The summary at the end of each chapter brings together the main points in very clear language that is easy to understand. I will certainly be recommending this book to my new students in September. -- Nursery World 20020808 Tina Bruce's understanding of learning and the play experience for babies, toddlers and children in the Foundation Years is developed in this text to enable adults to provide well planned play opportunities for young children. The book is not just a manual for parents, carers and practitioners. It provides a context for developing the play experience that draws upon Bruce's considerable knwoeldge of the worth of play for all children... ...This excellent discourse on play is linked sympathetically to the Foundation Stage curriculum. Wea cannot ignore the Foundation Stage requirements and this book shows how play experiences can be used to support it to the advantage of the Early Years tradition. -- Early Years 20041101 I would recommend this book both to the new childcare students it is aimed at, and to T.A's starting to work in the foundation stage as there are clear ideas for encouraging free-flow play rather than leading or directing it.The reading lists are very comprehensive and I will use them and the book itself in the future to dip into to refresh my ideas and practices. -- Learning Support Magazine/Nadine Mills Teaching Assistant Northfield Infant School 20051009
