This open access book develops a theoretical concept of teaching that is
relevant to early childhood education, and based on children's learning
and development through play. It discusses theoretical premises and
research on playing and learning, and proposes the development of
play-responsive didaktik. It examines the processes and products of
learning and development, teaching and its phylogenetic and ontogenetic
development, as well as the 'what' of learning and didaktik. Next, it
explores the actions, objects and meaning of play and provides insight
into the diversity of beliefs about the practices of play. The book
presents ideas on how combined research and development projects can be
carried out, providing incentive and a model for practice development
and research. The second part of the book consists of empirical studies
on teacher's playing skills and examples of play with very young as well
as older children.