This monograph presents some basic theoretical perspectives on play and its relationship to culture, and outlines some basic concepts that can be used to obtain information about cultural differences between children in a school setting. Emphasis is placed on the conceptual and methodological tools normally used in anthropological fieldwork and their potential utilization in an educational setting. Specific topics discussed include: (1) play and socialization; (2) types of play; (3) types of games; (4) game categories; (5) cultural patterns and games; (6) dominant values and games; and (7) real and ideal culture in games. Suggestions about how teachers may systematically observe and record children's games are presented. Included in these suggestions are discussions of observational problems, structural versus casual observation, and parent and child interviews. Ways in which the knowledge gained through these observations can be used in bilingual, cross cultural education, in research, in staff training, and in the general school setting and in reinforcing school-community ties are also discussed. (EB)