'This is an essential book for all early years practitioners looking for practical strategies to enhance and challenge their current play practices and thinking. It is a practical and child-focused book underpinned by sound theory and it provides activities and ideas for those small changes which can have such a big impact on inclusive play for children from birth to eight, throughout a setting. This second edition builds on the successful first edition and the new content includes consideration of early years curricula across the whole of the UK; a new chapter on risk and challenge in play; new case studies; international perspectives; full coverage of the birth to eight age range; and consideration of inclusive play from a children's rights perspective' - Special 'Attractively set out and well illustrated, [with] a very useful resource section. Casey has a clear and accessible writing style and is plainly dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of play. This book will help practitioners to audit their setting in terms of the opportunities it provides for play in different contexts, and its focus is clearly on appreciating children as individuals...In particular, the concept of "quick actions for change" could be applied successfully in many contexts [reminding] us that effective practice is reflective and highlights the importance of close observation to engage in active analysis of your setting. Perhaps every establishment should adopt this approach' - SEN Magazine www.senmagazine.co.uk 'Written from the author's deep commitment to young children's play, this second edition is straightforward and enthusiastically written and packed with good advice and activities to both enhance and challenge current play practices and adults' thinking. It's a great combination of initial theoretical justification followed by many good examples of play situations to which practitioners can relate' - Professor Emeritus Janet Moyles, Early Years & Play Consultant