To play is to learn. No other activity contributes as much to the growth and development of children in the early years. Parents, teachers of young children and caregivers will find this book a valuable resource for understanding children's play and what children learn through play. It describes how play effects the development of the body, the mind, literacy, socialization and artistic expression. It provides a wide range of practical ideas for supporting play without interfering. This book explores the relationship between play and the development of skills for a changing marketplace. It critically examines current practices that undermine the effect of play and limit learning in the early years to what can be measured on a standardized test.