Researchers concerned with the issue of children's play are urged to read the book "Children's Play: Current Theory and Research" edited by D. J. Pepler and K. H. Rubin which provides an up-to-date review of the conceptual, methodological and developmental issues related to children's play. (MP)

Reviews three articles in this journal on pretend play. Emphasizes that, although the articles are provocative, a wider range of processes must be considered for a comprehensive theory of pretense. Argues that a complete theory of mind must successfully explain how pretense develops and becomes a socially shared activity. (MM)

Reviews three articles in this journal on pretend play and focuses on the communicative activity through which social pretending is created. Suggests that, despite recent advances toward understanding techniques by which children construct make-believe, further examination of conversational exchanges and sequences of this complex activity is…

Suggests that the three articles on pretend play in this journal expand knowledge of pretend and social pretend play. Notes that the ultimate value of these articles lies in their exploration of the integration of affective, communicative, and cognitive processes as children construct shared social reality in pretend play. (MM)

Discusses processes in the development of shared pretend representations: adoption of shared pretend focus; metacommunication defining the activity as pretend play; and communication within pretend play. Examines claims that children's play becomes intersubjective only after three years of age. Concludes that intersubjectivity in peer pretend play…

Coded discourse of three preschool girls during an entire play session. Analyzed discourse as an instance of Goffman's concept of social frames specifying 13 reality modes, from deeply engrossed play action to nonplay interaction. Proposes a theoretical view regarding the society-instituting function of pretend play from a constructivist…

The aim of this article is to propose a theorization of the father-child relationship based on our current understanding of attachment, interactions between fathers and their young children, and human-specific adaptations. The comparison of mother-child and father-child interactions suggests that fathers play a particularly important role in the…

Presents a "development-in-action" study, in which children's development is approached as a situated accomplishment, the product of adults' and children's interaction in everyday settings. Suggests that analysis of the play's cultural work helps to understand how everyday social activity reproduces the social order that conditions it…

Critiques the ideas espoused by Packer (PS 522 550) in this issue. Observes that Packer fails to indicate the vast and important differences that exist between adults' and children's abilities. Suggests that reliance on play as a source for self-fashioning lessens with development, as children's autonomy is limited to a few social roles spread…

Describes four kinds of pretend play inhibition observed in children from three to nine years of age. Proposes hypotheses regarding potential causes and developmental sequelae of pretend play difficulties, in both cognitive and socioaffective realms. Discusses the implications of children's pretend play inhibition for examining relationships…