Increasing emphasis is now placed on how and what children learn in the early stages of life. The Government has drawn up Early Learning Goals for 3-5 year olds, setting a Foundation stage to the curriculum. Child Care professionals need to be aware of how to encourage children at this age, when the most important way of learning is through play.

In this book Tina Bruce, an acknowledged expert in the field of play, presents the key ideas and best practice for child care students starting to work in this vital area.