Main description:

-Based on a comprehensive and exhaustive empirically-based analysis of children's play: the research observed and analyzed the play activities of 289 children who are developing typically, and 203 children who are developing with delays.

-Use children's naturally occurring play activities for evaluation, as opposed to eliciting responses to contrived tasks or questions for the child or caregiver

-Geared specifically for personnel who serve young children - from late infancy through the preschool period who are developing with delays: no other system covers the age span of late infancy through the preschool period.

- The assessment is "language free" - does not require children to answer questions, thereby extending its use to children from various cultural backgrounds, children who are developing with language delays, and those with relevant disabilities.

-Ideal where parents or caregivers may not be fully aware of what their child knows or can do.

-The online training program for practitioners is designed for exclusive online use, rendering it appealing for wide-spread use.

Contents:

1. Introduction to the DPA-P 2. The Importance of Play in Development 3. Categories of Play and Their Definitions 4. Administration of the DPA-P and Summary Evalution of Performance 5. How To Use the DPA-P Coding System 6. Activities to be Recorded and Not Recorded 7. Guidelines for Scoring Categories of Play Activities 8. Training Program 9. Guidelines for Constructing Toys for DPA-P 10. Using the DPA-P Results to Design Interventions 11. Technical Information 12. Epilogue