Abstract

HANSEN, Janete et al. The play behavior and its implications for child development according to Evolutionary Psychology. Rev. bras. crescimento desenvolv. hum. [online]. 2007, vol.17, n.2, pp. 133-143. ISSN 0104-1282.

The play behavior is an activity that is present in children's life in many cultures, having an important role in child development. However, such importance sometimes is not recognized by adults, who prioritize in children education formal cognitive aspects, and have difficulties in visualizing the relation between play and development. Evolutionary Psychology views play as a behavior that has evolutionary and ontogenetic aspects. Such approach intends to study the possible relations between culture and evolution in the development of this behavior. The objective of this paper is to present the play behavior based on the theoretical framework of Evolutionary Psychology, as well as its concept and characteristics. Moreover, the relations between playing, types of play and gender differences are discussed. The toy library is presented as a possible space in which this behavior can be stimulated and valued.

Keywords : Play Behavior; Evolutionary Psychology; Gender Differences.

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