The history of parks and recreation is deeply rooted in child's play. From Joseph Lee's writings about the developmental benefits of child's play at the beginning of the 20th century to the establishment of the University of Illinois's Motor Performance and Play Research Laboratory in the 1960s and 1970s, child's play has been a central focus of…

Beyond the standard definitions found in the dictionary, words commonly used in the recreation field have subtle, yet powerful connotations of which senders and receivers of information may not be consciously aware. These words elicit different conscious and subconscious reactions that likely bear significant consequences for recreation agencies…

Modern American society faces challenges that are much different from those that the early pioneers of American play face. Play deprivation, or lack of play, is the result of children's unwillingness to choose free and spontaneous outdoor play such as that which occurs in parks and other natural settings. A lack of play in natural settings leads…

This article discusses social dimensions of the play form. (PD)

This article offers suggestions for games, contests, and festive entertainments for community enjoyment. (JD)

A description is given of the organization and activities of a playgroup program for young children (ages one year through three years). (JD)

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…

Used interviews to examine mothers' satisfaction with London play services provided specifically for disabled school children and those provided for children in general. Found a high level of satisfaction, with play services seen as providing respite and benefits such as play, companionship, and varied experiences for children. Problems included…

This publication deals with recreation and leisure in American society. It is stated that the greater mobility of Americans, the increased time and money available for leisure time pursuits, the higher degree of educational level with accompanying wider interests, and the changing attitudes toward the balance between work and play are having…

The Early Intervention Effectiveness Institute established by Utah State University will increase the knowledge base concerning efficacy of various types of early intervention with handicapped children. Let's Play to Grow is a recreation and support program for disabled children and their families with approximately 200 clubs and 6,000 members…

Where does leisure lead--to philosophical changes, to changes in our behavior and its effect within and with our environment, to a different society? Are we moving from a work to a leisure ethnic? Leisure Today is concerned with the challenge expressed above and with the educational responsibilities for experiences and the consequent individual…