Playing is vital to the social, physical, cognitive, and spiritual development of young children. Yet cries for more "academic preschools" and demands for "higher test scores" are forcing play out of many early childhood environments. Play will show early childhood educators what they can do about it. It explains how play promotes school readiness and is filled with anecdotes, stories, and true-to-life experiences.

Lisa Murphy has been involved with early childhood education for over twenty years, teaching and working with children in various environments. She is the founder and CEO of Ooey Gooey, Inc.