TThhee SScciieennccee ooff PPllaayy The Science of University Press of New England Hanover and London SuS an G. Solomon PLAY How to Build Playgrounds That Enhance Children’s Development University Press of New England www.upne.com © 2014 University Press of New England All rights reserved Manufactured in the United States of America Designed by Eric M. Brooks Typeset in Calluna by Passumpsic Publishing University Press of New England is a member of the Green Press Initiative. The paper used in this book meets their minimum requirement for recycled paper. For permission to reproduce any of the material in this book, contact Permissions, University Press of New England, One Court Street, Suite 250, Lebanon NH 03766; or visit www.upne.com Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data available upon request 5 4 3 2 1 for Bob Life demands courage, endurance and strength, but we continue to underestimate the capacity of children for taking risks, enjoying the stimulation of danger, and finding things out for themselves. lady allen of hurtwood Contents acknowledgments | xi introduction | 1 1 the problem | 10 2 risk and independence | 32 3 failing and succeeding | 56 4 executive function | 82 5 friendship | 104 6 nature and exploration | 122 7 paths | 142 conclusion: paradigms | 154 notes | 171 selected bibliography | 191 index | 203 Plates follow page 82