The Power of Play - by David Elkind (Paperback)

About the Book

While parents may worry that their children will be at a disadvantage if they are not engaged in the latest "educational" games, Elkinds "The Power of Play" reassures that unscheduled imaginative play goes far in preparing children for academic and social success.

Book Synopsis

Today's parents often worry that their children will be at a disadvantage if they are not engaged in constant learning, but child development expert David Elkind reassures us that imaginative play goes far to prepare children for academic and social success. Through expert analysis of the research and powerful examples, Elkind shows how creative, spontaneous play fosters healthy mental and social development and sets the stage for academic learning in the first place. An important contribution to the literature about how children learn, "The Power of Play" restores play's respected place in children's lives and encourages parents to trust their instincts to stay away from many of the dubious educational products on the market.

Review Quotes

"Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry," September 2008
"An easy and enjoyable read...Elkind's latest book reflects his career-long devotion to children's well-being...He lays out a comprehensive vision for how parents can support and foster children's free play and gently but convincingly illustrates why they should do so...This book will be well received by parents, teachers, and policymakers."

About the Author

David Elkind, PhD, is a professor emeritus of the Eliot-Pearson Department of Child Development at Tufts University and the author of more than a dozen books, including The Hurried Child and The Power of Play. Through his writings, media appearances, and lectures in the United States and abroad, he is recognized as one of the leading advocates for the preservation of childhood. He lives on Cape Cod.