Play is more than just fun; it is a powerful teaching tool that helps young children learn. With this practical, activity-filled guide, teachers will have ready-to-use strategies for weaving individual learning goals into play throughout the school day. Created for use with children ages 2 to 5 who have special needs--but equally effective for typically developing children--this book gives teachers: (1) age-specific ideas for using classroom play centers and materials to create learning opportunities; (2) suggestions for supporting individual and group learning goals during familiar types of play (such as housekeeping, outdoor activities, and music and rhythm play); (3) straightforward planning sheets that help teachers work play activities into their existing classroom schedule; (4) strategies that develop children's social skills during group activities and free play; and (5) tips on adapting play for children with special needs. New to this second edition are: (1) a chapter on emergent literacy and more literacy-building activities; (2) greater focus on inclusive environments and group settings; (3) more adaptations for children with severe and/or multiple disabilities; and (4) more advice on addressing challenging behavior. The book is divided into the following four sections: (1) The Role of Play in Early Childhood Education; (2) Planning and Writing Goals and Objectives for Children with Disabilities; (3) Let's Play: Embedding Teaching and Learning Goals in Play Activities; and (4) Playing Together and Making Friends. The following are appended: (1) Sources for Adaptive Equipment and Learning Materials; (2) Guidelines for Developmentally Appropriate Practice: Adaptations for Children with Disabilities; (3)Resources for Including Children with Special Needs; (4) Play Checklists; and (5)Reproducible Play Matrices and Play Quiz. [This book was published by Brookes Publishing Company.]