“For young children, there is no distinction between play and learning; they are the same thing. Play is a priority in early childhood, but not all play is created equal” (Butler, 2008, p. 1). Since the dawn of humanity, children have imitated adults and learned to survive through play. Evidence for this includes toys and board games dating back 6,000 years that have been found in Egypt and Asia (Dollinger, 2000). Over the last two centuries, children's play has been observed and studied by theorists and recognized as an important tool for adult life. Three theorists who studied children and spent their lives researching how children develop were Erik Erikson, Jean Piaget, and Lev Vygotsky. These theorists agreed that from the time a child is two years old, play, communication and social development lay the foundation for his or her future. Each of these psychologists has agreeable theories, and each had theories that have been challenged by modern researchers. Gaming, culture and society have been placed in a different order of importance for each. The childhood years impact adults in both positive and negative ways, depending on the type of reinforcement a child receives. These reinforcers, positive or negative, affect an individual mentally, physically, emotionally, and socially. Erik Erikson believed that there were eight stages of human development; age for preschool children (three to six years old) is the third stage in Erikson's developmental theory. This phase is also known as the Initiative vs. Guilt phase. Erickson believed that children were naturally curious and wanted to learn. He also believed that children learn most from self-discovery and play. Children are imaginative, repetitive and highly formable at the center of paper, everything and everyone around them. For me, every moment I spend with BriarRose, I see learning and exploration unfold. My job as a parent is to give her the support and feedback she needs now and one day she will be a contributing member of society. Works CitedBerk, L. E. (2010). Development across the lifespan. Boston: Pearson.Butler, S. (2008). Learning through play. Retrieved July 15, 2011, from Earlychildhood NEWS: http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com/earlychildhood/article_view.aspx?ArticleId=591Dollinger, A. (2000, 12 01). Play. Retrieved July 8, 2011, from Anceint Egypt: http://www.reshafim.org.il/ad/ Egypt/timelines/topics/games.htm Mcleod, S. (2007). Vygotsky. Retrieved May 8, 2011, from Simply Psychology: http://www.simplypsychology.org/vygotsky.htmlNursing Resource Admin. (2010, 06 06). Erik Erikson's stages of psychological development.