This collection of articles presents ideas about the value of children's play and suggests practical ways to implement good play experiences and select appropriate play materials. Articles examine play as an agent of social values, play and thinking, play and child development, the environmental opportunities for play factors that can destroy the value of play, play for the convalescent child, specific learning processes and play, and play as a valid educational tool. Recent books and films on play, and age-appropriate toys are listed. (CS)