The leading text in the field-- Theory and practice combine to help teachers put play at the center of a balanced curriculum. This widely used resource seamlessly combines the features of a text on play and development with the features of an early childhood curriculum text to present a comprehensive, cogent rationale for placing play at the center of a balanced curriculum. The leading text in the field, Play at the Center of the Curriculum is ideal for those who want to engage children in a developmental zone where children and teachers are learning from and with each other. The authors put play at the center of a balanced curriculum that includes spontaneous, guided, and directed play as well as teacher planned instruction. They describe how knowledgeable teachers use a wide repertoire of strategies to orchestrate the flow from spontaneous play to guided play, to more subject oriented instruction, and back to play. This thoroughly updated Sixth Edition interweaves anecdotes of children's play, theories of play and development, empirical evidence from research, and practical instructional strategies to give students a clear look at play and the curriculum. This text provides the ideal teaching and learning experience. Here's why: Carefully written and coordinated chapter features enhance student learning. A blend of "how-to" and theory, plus extensive updates in each new edition make this both a current and a classic text on play that includes all children. Readers are immersed in the experiences of real classrooms through anecdotes and numerous vignettes. The interests of today's students are addressed, from violent play and bullying to children and nature, to enriching the outdoor classroom.