Children's Play

This study examines trends of children's play in Korea, and academic, pragmatic, and policy issues related to it. For the purpose, the researchers reviewed play theories, national and international views of play specialists, and research articles on children's play in selected academic journals published in Korea for the last 30 years. Although Korea has been active academically as well as politically in recognizing the importance of children's play, children's play in Korea seems to have lost its position, the true value of it being often distorted or unidentified. Many specialists worn that the deprivation of play opportunities increasing in modern societies will result in many serious problems. Play research therefore need to strengthen its power by being more accountable and broadening its foci toward solving such predictable problems.