Toys and Play

Abstract

The type and use of toys and games are known to vary with culture, social classes and childrearing practice. Differences may also depend on sex, intelligence, climate and, of course, opportunity (Hole 1966; van der Eyken 1967; Hartley 1952; Huizinga 1949). In her book The Psychology of Play Millar (1968) describes four different types of play — exploring and movement play; fantasy, feeling and make-believe play; imitative play; and social play. A variety of writers (Preyer 1882; Miller et al. 1941) have ascribed different explanations. to children’s play. Millar (1968) is very careful, however, to avoid emphasizing any one theory. While there is no universal agreement on theory, all are agreed upon the need for play among the young and growing child as in many other animals.