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Library of Play
The scientific study of play has expanded rapidly over the last few decades, creating a wealth of new research on how play helps us live happier, healthier lives. But the fact that there is so much — and the many different uses of the word “play” — can make it challenging to find relevant information.
NIFP has spent hundreds of hours reviewing and cataloging play-related books, articles, and videos. Our Library of Play is how we’re sharing this extensive list of resources, along with our comments on the unique insights, contributions, and linkages between papers. It’s all part of our mission to promote and share the science of play.
Books
We have cataloged over 100 books on the science of play! Search or browse for basic introductory texts, books on playful education, and much more.
Research Articles
Explore more than 500 curated scientific articles by play researchers, with comments and ratings. Browse by subject or search abstracts.
Videos
We will keep growing our video collection with play-related presentations, interviews, and discussions with leading researchers.
Other Science-Based Resources About Play
- American Journal of Play
- Encyclopedia of Play Science
- Frost Play Research Collection
- International Journal of Play
- The Power of Play – American Academy of Pediatrics clinical report
- Resources for Infant Educarers
American Journal of Play
Published three times a year, the American Journal of Play (AJP) is an Open Access peer-reviewed journal on the history, science, and culture of play. AJP features original peer-reviewed research, interviews, and book reviews that advance scholarly and public discussions around play, and is written in a straightforward style for a wide readership that includes scholars, educators, policymakers, museum and industry professionals, public health workers, and others who strive to understand the impact and importance of play in the world.
AJP welcomes contributions in research areas such as:
- play in learning and development from infancy to adulthood
- cultural histories of playthings and ways of playing
- practices of play therapy and health (physical, behavioral, mental)
- intersections of play and gender, race, class, and sexuality
- public policy issues involving and impacting play
- historical and contemporary representations of play or players
- evaluations of major themes and theories in traditional and emerging play scholarship
Encyclopedia of Play Science
NIFP began developing the interdisciplinary Encyclopedia of Play Science on Scholarpedia, the peer-reviewed Open Access encyclopedia platform. Unfortunately, that work was interrupted by staff changes and loss of funding. The encyclopedia’s archives remain available on Scholarpedia. You can also search or browse encyclopedia articles in our Library of Play.
The Frost Play Research Collection
The Frost Play Research Collection was donated to the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas, by teacher, researcher, and author Dr. Joe L. Frost. It is the largest collection of research materials on children’s play and play environments in the United States.
In addition to almost 2,000 cataloged play-related books and articles, the collection includes Dr. Frost’s play-related correspondence, research materials, and hundreds of play-related photographs.
International Journal of Play
The International Journal of Play is a subscription-based, peer-reviewed academic journal published by Taylor & Francis three times per year. IJP is the official journal of The Association for the Study of Play (TASP).
The IJP is an interdisciplinary journal that covers “all aspects of play theory, policy, and practice” in every conceivable context, and is written to appeal to everyone from anthropologists and educators to therapists and zoologists. The regular general interest feature “The State of Play” provides a venue for play practitioners and scholars to discuss the landscape of play research, and “Books Worth (Re)Reading” discusses “classic and overlooked books about play.”
The Power of Play: A Pediatric Role in Enhancing Development in Young Children
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) clinical report “The Power of Play: A Pediatric Role in Enhancing Development in Young Children” explains how and why play is key to young children having the physical, cognitive, and emotional foundations they need to succeed in life. The report summarizes research showing that play can improve children’s abilities to organize their world, be motivated to learn, relate to others, and regulate emotions — and retain those abilities in adulthood. In addition, play is a major contributor to learning language, math, and science.
The AAP found this report necessary because children’s free play time has been declining for decades. Children’s schedules are chock-full of adult-directed activities and dictated by the parental drive to ensure academic success. “The Power of Play” highlights research showing that free play time will better prepare youngsters for the academic demands of high school, college, and future employment than the currently widespread adult-directed activities that are blocking them from playtime. A rich bibliography of research is heavily cited throughout the report.
“The Power of Play” encourages pediatricians to prescribe play for their young patients, meaning that doctors should explain to parents how important play is. Pediatricians are also encouraged to advise parents to choose childcare and preschool programs that include playful approaches to learning. “The Power of Play” is free to download and is highly recommended reading.
Resources for Infant Educarers
RIE is a network of infant–toddler educators who are passionately dedicated to empowering parents and caregiving professionals to provide the secure and respectful beginnings that foster free play for children’s healthy development.
RIE offers classes in Educaring — an approach to childcare based on the belief that caring for children educates the children, as well as the adults, about themselves. Caregiving in the infant and toddler years is the curriculum; the parent or caregiver is the “educarer.”
Parents and professionals find that the Educaring Approach allows them to focus on what matters most: their connection with the baby in their care. When caretakers attune to their child, the child develops secure attachment and the parents learn to trust their baby and themselves.