What is play and why is it important?

All children play, including those of all cultures and those with disabilities. This chapter defines play—an activity that is self-chosen, nonliteral, intrinsically motivated, active, process-oriented, and emotionally meaningful—and highlights its variations across cultures and abilities. The chapter presents theories and research that establish the importance of play for children’s development. It illustrates how knowledge of play can guide teachers and parents as they interact with children to support their development in classrooms and homes. The chapter introduces the concept of play intervention—a more formal and planned method of guiding the play of children with disabilities to meet their unique developmental needs.