Play and School Readiness

In this article, the author describes some of the key research findings that demonstrate the relationship between school readiness and preschool play. She begins with definitions of both school readiness and play, and then describes the teacher's role in ensuring that play is used effectively to promote school readiness. The author goes on to explore the relationship between children's dramatic play and the development of key school readiness skills--self-regulation, higher order social skills, language, and early literacy skills such as symbolic representation and print awareness. Finally, she concludes with a discussion of motivation in relation to play and school readiness.