The Power of Play: Learning What Comes Naturally [Paperback]

Today's parents often worry that their children will be at a disadvantage if they are not engaged in constant learning, but child development expert David Elkind reassures us that imaginative play goes far to prepare children for academic and social success. Through expert analysis of the research and powerful examples, Elkind shows how creative, spontaneous play fosters healthy mental and social development and sets the stage for academic learning in the first place. An important contribution to the literature about how children learn,The Power of Playrestores play's respected place in children's lives and encourages parents to trust their instincts to stay away from many of the dubious educational products on the market.

David Elkind, Ph.D., is Professor Emeritus at Tufts University and the author of a dozen books, includingThe Hurried ChildandAll Grown Up and No Place to Go. He lives outside of Boston and on Cape Cod.