When play was play : why pick-up games matter / Ronald Bishop.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Bishop, Ronald, 1961-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Play--Social aspects--United States.

Play.

Child development--United States.

Child development.

Play--Social aspects.

United States.

Children--United States.

Children.

Leisure--United States.

Leisure.

Physical Description:

ix, 203 pages ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Albany : Excelsior Editions/State University of New York Press, [2009]

Summary:

When Play Was Play offers a fascinating look at the disappearing world of childhood pick-up games. Drawing on his own experiences as well as a wealth of interviews and surveys, Ronald Bishop tells why these loosely structured games mattered-camaraderie, opportunities to develop social skills, and independence from the world of adults. Bishop contrasts his and others' childhoods with the experiences of today's overscheduled and overcommitted youth who find much of their time taken up by organized sports and other highly supervised activities. When Play Was Play celebrates memories of a past era, when kids were free to explore their neighborhoods, had time to throw together an afternoon game of stickball, and spent much of their lives playing outside just for the sake of playing.

Contents:

Less time spent schmoozing

Does anybody play anymore?

The consecrated spots

No purpose in mind

Out of necessity

Say goodbye to Hollywood

It didn't take much

Leave those kids alone

They call it "tennockey".

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 191-198) and index.

ISBN:

9781438426037

1438426038

9781438426044

1438426046

OCLC:

262143090