Play: A Vygotskian Approach

This film offers both theoretical and practical perspectives on dramatic play. Using enchanting sequences of young children playing house, doctor's office, rescue squadron, and trick or treating, the theoretical positions of Lev Vygotsky and other prominent theorists have taken in systematically studying play are illustrated. This film carefully reviews the traditional ways of studying play: the Freudian-Eriksonian emphasis on its emotional content, the Piagetian view of its importance in symbolic representation and the social psychological approach of looking at how play contributes to socialization. Lev Vygotsky's unique contribution of seeing play as an arena in which a child can begin to master her own behavior is carefully detailed. The video ends with practical suggestions for fostering high level play in early childhood settings.