Play is a reaction to stimulation or curiosity. Through Play, exploration, manipulation and creativity are woven into thought. Play is a necessity in life. Written for those who are training as parent helpers or supervisors in an early childhood education centre, with the hope that it may foster more understanding and appreciation of the meaning and value of play in the early years of childhood. Work and Play in the early years may also help supervisors an patents to accept their supportive and educational roles as being of immense value to their children, all of whom need someone who can become involved sufficiently to encourage them to think out their own problems and do things for themselves, thus building competence and adequacy into their lives.