The Importance of Play: A Report on the Value of Children's Play with a Series of Policy Recommendations

The Toy Industries of Europe trade association commissioned this report to investigate the value of play for children. It reviews the research on the importance of play in child development and presents policy recommendations for the European Union to improve the provision for, and quality of, children's play opportunities. Sections include: Archeological, historical, anthropological and sociological research; Evolutionary and psychological research; The five types of play; Environmental and social factors supporting or inhibiting play; The consequences of play deprivation; The work and views of European play researchers; The work and views of European Play Organisations; The work of European play organisations; and Views of European play organisations on issues related to children's play.