The Implications of a Theory of Play for the Design of Computer Toys

Kolomyjec, B., Cassell, J., Kafai, Y. B., & Williamson, M. (1997). The implications of a theory of play for the design of computer toys (panel). Paper presented at the Proceedings of the 24th annual conference on Computer graphics and interactive techniques. 


"Play [can] be considered a leading activity that determines the child’s development" - Vygotsky, Mind in Society

The nature of play: the adults view play as not as important as adult activities

-the paper draws attention on the importance of the play, play's role in cultural development
-paper also points out the differences in gender and culture
Play is more than make-believe:
-play is the medium for the child to experience everything
-immersion and imagination -  the child's imagination is bounded by the cultural world he is immersed in
Vygotsky's zone of proximal development of play: the model in which t
he developmental progression of
the relationships among the child and the play event is represented.
    - enters the ZPD of play by participating during play
    - everything within the zone are governed by rules that are set by social values of the culture the ZPD is in
pivot object:(Vygotsky): with which the child plays 
-representational: thinking
-pragmatic:creating
- the child mediates between