Holistic development: children playing

Much has been written about the value of play in children’s learning and play is widely acknowledged as an essential and innate aspect of young children’s development. Bruce, for example, concludes that ‘Play is the highest form of learning in early childhood’ (2005: 128). Moreover every child’s opportunity ‘to relax, play and join in with a wide range of cultural and artistic activities’ is internationally recognised in the United Nations Convention as the right of every child (UNICEF).