Chapter One

1. Chapter One The Nature of Leisure, Recreation, and Play

2. Leisure • Difficult to Define • Aristotle’s Pyramid • Amusive Leisure • Recreation Leisure • Contemplative

3. Leisure as Residual Time • What Is Free Time? • Perceived vs. Actual Free Time • Three Sets of Time • Nash’s Paradigm

4. Leisure as Activities • The Human Act • Shibutani’s Phases • Instrumental Acts • Expressive Acts

5. Leisure as a State of Mind • Obligation vs. Choice • Perceived vs. Actual Free Time • Is the Professional Player Playing? • Work vs. Play

6. Recreation • Organized Play • Public Recreation • Commercial Recreation • Corporate Recreation • Therapeutic Recreation

7. Play in the Core • Hard to Define in Adults • You Know It When You See It • Witnessed Among Human Groups • Sequentially Similar Across Human Groups

8. Biological Interpretations of Play • Schiller’s Surplus Energy Theory • Spencer’s Surplus Energy Theory • Gross’s Teleological Theory • Hall’s Recapitulation Theory

9. Psychological Interpretations of Play • McDougall’s Instinct Theory • James’s Instinct Theory • Reflex Theory • Freud’s Pleasure Theory • Drive Theory

10. Sociological Interpretations of Play • Self-Expression Theory • Belonging Theory • The Self Theory • Play and the Generalized Other • Play and the Significant Other

11. Cultural Interpretation of Play • The Nature of Rituals • Rituals in Society • Play and Ritual • Sustenance of Society

12. Recent Approaches of Play • Play and Human Development • Mastering-Reality Theory • The Brain Play Center • Genetic Code and Play

13. In Search of a Theory • Interest in Recreation High • Stress Management • Spirituality • Interaction • Satisfactory Life

14. Chapter Two The Evolution of Leisure, Recreation, and Play

15. The Nature of Evolution • From Simple to Complex • From Lower to Higher • From Worse to Better • No Evolution at All

16. Early Human Societies • Social Life Began: Dyad • Nuclear Family • Extended Family • Many Families: The Human Band

17. Tribes and Chiefdoms • Conservative: No Change • Group Over Individual • Rituals • Ritualized Leisure

18. Primitive States • Rise of Leisure Class • Appearance of Performers • Rise of Leisure Class • Amusive Leisure

19. Old World Societies • Mesopotamia: Concept of Parks • Egypt: First Drama • Israel: Right of Person • Concept of the Sabbath

20. Ancient Greece • The Polis ( City-State) • Class Distinction • Concept of Schole • The Games

21. Ancient Rome • Amusive Leisure • Public Games ( Ludi) • Bread and Circuses • Rise of Holidays

22. New World Societies • The Mayans’ 18-Month Year • Pok-a-Pok • The Aztecs’ tlachtli • Hunting as Recreation

23. Middle-Era Societies • China: Pleasure Grounds • Japan: Public Baths • India: Amorous Adventures • Islam: Ramadan’s Evening

24. Europe • The Dark Ages • Rise of Merchant Class • Fairs and Amusive Leisure • Saint’s Days and Leisure • Renaissance and Contemplative Leisure

25. Modern Societies • British “Public” Schools and Sport • British Second Homes • France’s Manicured Gardens • Germany’s Turnen

26. The American Experience • Puritanical Influence • Horse Racing and Hunting • Theatre and Traveling Shows • The Circus • Rise of Sport

27. Chapter Three Leisure, Recreation, and the Individual

28. Physical Aspects of Leisure • Need for Active Lifestyle • Being Physically Fit • Principles of Exercising • Fitness in America

29. Emotional Aspects of Leisure • Satisfaction and Leisure Pursuits • Positive Attitude and Leisure • Nature of Values • Values and Leisure • Psychological Benefits

30. Psychological Benefits of Leisure • 20 Benefits of Outdoor Activities • Leisure and Self-Actualization • Nature of a Flow Experience • Leisure and Learning • Spiritual Benefits

31. Social Aspects of Leisure • Definition of Socialization • Age and Socialization • Gender and Socialization • Lifestyle and Leisure

32. Social Benefits of Leisure • Belonging in Leisure Pursuits • Satisfaction with Community • Self-Identity in Leisure • Bonding in Leisure Activities

33. The Physically Challenged • Orthopedic Impairment • The Blind • The Hard of Hearing • Cardiac Malfunction

34. The Mentally Challenged • Multiple Impairment • Lack of Speech Skills • Social Awkwardness • Lack of Self-Confidence

35. The Socially Deviant • Juvenile Offenders • Prison Inmates • Self-Discovery • Self-Reliance • Outward Bound

36. Elderly Persons • The Graying America • Changed Roles • Need for Social Interaction • To Stay Physically Active

37. Chapter Four Play, Recreation, and the Life Course: Children

38. Childhood and Play • Review Play Theories • Population Increase • More Mothers Work • Sedentary Lifestyles

39. Infancy (0-18 months) • Pressure-Free Settings • Natural Motor Development • Simple Games • Fitness Program

40. Early Childhood (1 ½ - 5yrs) • Egocentric • Self- and Parallel-Play • Pretend Play • Problem-Solving Skills

41. Middle Childhood (5-12 yrs) • Rapid Physical Growth • Age Over Gender • Simple Rules • Sex Play • Peer’s Influence

42. Play Opportunities • Gross Motor Development • Fine Motor Development • Boys Aggressive Play • Toys and Problem Solving

43. Playgrounds • The Boston Sand Gardens • The Depression and Playgrounds • Traditional vs. Modern • Contemporary vs. Adventure

44. Playground Planning • Emphasis: Exploration • Emphasis: Investigation • Emphasis: Manipulation • Cite Studies

45. Playground Safety • Statistics Overwhelming • Increased Lawsuits • Need for Policy • Supervisors

46. Current Trends • For Broader Users • Areas for Toddlers • Meet Many Needs • Access to Disabled

47. Play or Games • Play: Expressive Act • Game: Instrumental Act Rules as Self-Control • New Games Approach

48. Play Groups • Rewards Intrinsic • Social Control Internal • Informational Sanctions • High Individual Freedom • Unstable Structure

49. Game Groups • Rewards Extrinsic • External Social Control • Formal Sanctions • Limited Individual Freedom • Stable Structure

50. Sports • Early Start (Age 4) • More Females Now • Extremely Competitive • Drug Use and Abuse