In its most basic sense, play provides a mechanism for a young child to address him or herself and engage with others in a way that precludes feelings of immaturity and inferiority. "Play" invokes a world not limited by temporal boundaries of age and accomplishment and forces a child to relate to the world around him or her. In dramatic, physical, and celebratory play, children are able to develop social skills that help them in both structured and unstructured environments as it is incorporated into the early childhood curriculum.

Allen and Marotz, K.E. And L.R. Developmental Profiles. 3rd Edition. Canada: Delmar Publishers, 1999.

Berk, Laura E. Infants, Children, and Adolescents. 5th Edition. Boston: Allen & Bacon, 2005.

Curriculum Council. "Phases of Development: Early Childhood." The Scope of Curriculum. Seattle: University of Washington, 2004.

King, Nancy. "Play: The kindergartner's Perspective." The Elementary School Journal. Vol. 80, No. 2. Nov., 1979.

Hughes, Fergus P. Children, Play, and Development. 3rd Edition. Boston: Allyn & Bacon, 2005.

Olsen and Sumsion, A. And J. "Early...

"Conceptualizing Today's Kindergarten Curriculum." The Elementary School Journal. Vol. 89, No. 2. Special Issue: Early Childhood Programs in Public Schools. Nov, 1988.
Berk, Laura E. Infants, Children, and Adolescents. 5th Edition. Boston: Allen & Bacon, 2005. 10.

Spodek, Bernard. "Conceptualizing Today's Kindergarten Curriculum." The Elementary School Journal. Vol. 89, No. 2. Special Issue: Early Childhood Programs in Public Schools. Nov, 1988. p. 202.

Spodek, Bernard. P. 202.

Allen and Marotz, K.E. And L.R. Developmental Profiles. 3rd Edition. Canada: Delmar Publishers, 1999. p. 1.

Allen and Marotz, K.E. And L.R. p. 1.

Spodek, p. 204.

Berk, p. 10.

Spodek, p. 206.

King, Nancy. "Play: The kindergartner's Perspective." The Elementary School Journal. Vol. 80, No. 2. Nov., 1979. p. 83.

King, p. 84.

Curriculum Council. "Phases of Development: Early Childhood." The Scope of Curriculum. Seattle: University of Washington, 2004.

Olsen and Sumsion, A. And J. "Early Childhood Teacher Practices Regarding the Use of Dramatic Play in the Classrooms." Australia: Macquarie University Institute of Early Childhood, 2005. p. 5.

Spodek, p. 213.