This book examines the history and purpose of outdoor play areas. Chapter 1 of the book discusses the importance of play in children's lives and the role of playgrounds in the play process. The historical development and evolution of playgrounds is recounted in chapter 2, while chapter 3 reviews research on playgrounds, including research…

Jane Addams, founder of Hull House and proponent of cultural and physical recreation programs, contributed greatly to current recreation and leisure time programs. Her contributions include: (1) a view that recreation programs could organize and structure social life; (2) a recreation philosophy that proposed to unite urbanites and to express…

Considers contributions of Sigmund Freud and Rene Spitz to developmental psychology. Freud's contributions include his observations about play, perspectives on developmental processes, and ideas about unconscious mental activity. Spitz's contributions include his assessments of infants, perspectives on developmental processes, and his concept of…

This bulletin has been used extensively since it was published in State legislative campaigns for physical education. The following topics are discussed: (1) Purpose and scope of State laws for physical education; (2) Tabular summary of State laws; (3) Principles governing State legislation for physical education; (4) Text of State physical…

In the past 10 years the play movement has illuminated the educational value of play. The old-time school yard, with its limited space and its restrictive traditions, is entirely unsuited to the new uses demanded by the new ideals, and there is going on everywhere a reconstruction of theory and practice to meet the new requirements. As in all…

The pattern of the changing attitudes of Western society towards child's play reflects the turbulence and variety of general social, political, philosophical, and educational developments. (LH)

The historical development of play within the public school curriculum is traced from its origins in eighteenth century French Revolutionary society through Pre-Industrial and Industrial America and Europe, the Progressive and Post World War II Eras, the Protest Era of the 1960s up to modern times. Predictions for the future are also offered. (JN)

Discusses the beginnings, the demise, and the present status of gardens in preschool or day care centers. Describes the nursery garden developed by Margaret McMillan. (BG)

This paper traces selected sociological, anthropological and psychological interpretations of work and play and their implications for classroom practice. Conflict theorists' views of the impact of industrialization on the family and the school and the increasing separation of the worlds of play and work are counterposed to functionalist models of…

In December, 1921, the Board of Education of Washington, North Carolina requested the United States Commissioner of Education make a survey of the school buildings of Washington, NC with a view to working out a building program for the schools of that city. The author of this bulletin was detailed by the commissioner to make the survey, which she…

There are many people of middle age in America still who do not believe in play. They grew up without playgrounds themselves and they do not realize how greatly conditions have changed during the intervening years. When the author was a boy in southern Michigan the school session in his country community was only four months a year. Under these…

Girard College was founded and endowed by Stephen Girard, mariner and merchant, a native of France, who came to Philadelphia in 1776. After a long life of service to his adopted city, State, and country, he died in 1831, leaving the bulk of his estate in trust to the city of Philadelphia for the erection and maintenance of what is now known as…

The school yard has been one of the least utilized of our educational resources. Surfaced with a view to his convenience and used mostly in accordance with his desires, it has practically belonged to the janitor. In the past 10 years the great play movement has burst upon us and has brought with it an illumination as to the educational value of…

For the first time, American people, released from the strain of the physical building and equipping of a country during which work was our doctrine and gospel, are summoned to discover the meaning of the word "recreation" and translate its spirit into practice. Through this great movement toward the use of leisure time, bringing play to people of…

In February, 1922, the United States Commissioner of Education, John J. Tigert, called the First National Conference on the Work-Study-Play, or Platoon. One result of this conference was that the superintendents who attended asked the United States Bureau of Education to serve as a clearing house of information in regard to the work-study-play…